Confessions of a Pastor – 4 of 10

Sometimes I feel __________________!

I think that sometimes people’s view of pastors or clergy is that they are so spiritual that they never have questions, doubts, fears or faults when it comes to things of faith. The reality is that WE DO! But what we do typically is HIDE our questions, doubts, fears and faults, “because we do not want to cause others to stumble”. But we’ve realized that doesn’t work because people have doubts anyway and feel especially “less than spiritual” when they think that they are the only ones with questions, doubts, fears and faults. The truth we all struggle at times. This is why I am a fan of authenticity.

I come from a background that encouraged “fake it till you make it”. And though in certain contexts I believe that we should “fake it till we make it” I do not think we should walk around acting down and out because it’s how we feel. There are times I am having a bad day, but I don’t pout all day long, I “fake it till I make it” … put a smile on my face, throw my shoulders back and take on the day.

There is a time and a place for opening ourselves up to be honest with how we are feeling and what we are going through. So, here are my confessions, like Elijah sometimes I __________.

1 Kings 19:3-4 “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life...”

1) Sometimes I feel DISCOURAGED. (Philippians 1:6)

2) Sometimes I’m in a BAD MOOD for no reason. (Psalms 42:11)

3) Sometimes I don’t want to FORGIVE others. (Matthew 6:14)

4) I am afraid to FAIL. (Psalm 73:26)

5) Sometimes I feel I am not GOOD enough. (Romans 10:3)