I grew up attending Christian School and was taught the “right and wrong answers” to anything biblical. I went off to Bible college and was given a systematic way to make all the difficult things of Scripture work into a traditional framework. However, I got into ministry and the pre-packaged answers did not always fit real-life situations.
I was taught that if someone had a struggle, the only solution was to stop it. If someone was depressed, tell them to have more faith. When someone’s faith was weak, I was supposed to tell them how horrible they were for doubting God. These bandaids are not a solution. They cover the problem. Remove the bandaid, and the gaping wound now has MRSA.
People need to ask the tough questions, search the Scriptures, and think for themselves in order to strengthen their faith. When I was in ministry, I didn’t have the professors telling me how to think anymore. I had to take a hard look at Scripture and seek the Holy Spirit for myself.
I watched this work when I worked with a youth pastor in a church where I used to serve. He would ask the youth the hard questions and make them think for themselves. The retention rate of the youth that are now adults is amazing. This youth pastor didn’t feed them the answers. He allowed them to ask the tough questions and find the answers. Their faith is rock solid as a result.
So when someone comes to you with an addiction problem and wants help, don’t do this:
Matthew Winters (Honest Thoughts from a Pastor) 
LOL! That clip is hilarious,isn’t it? It doesn’t work well for life circumstances, addiction, whatever, but never underestimate the value of a, “just stop it!” It’s amazing how easily we forget that in the midst of our angst,misery,and woe. The definition of insanity is said to be doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. In the midst of the craziness, it often never occurs to us to just try something new. The other day I drove around the gas pump 3 times trying to get the gas tank on the right side of the car. Apparently if you just drive in circles you’re always going to be on the wrong side. Who knew?? 🙂
I like the definition of insanity. I’ve seen it and experienced it often.
The clip was just too funny! If I just stopped all the negative behaviors life would be easier. Guess I will have to STOP IT!
I couldn’t resist adding it to the post.
😄👌
The best answers we never forget is the ones we answered ourselves by the help of the Holy Spirit.
So true!
I do love the clip! Sadly, as a young pastor that was kind of my approach. Someone was depressed, They need to read the Bible more. Someone is having problems with their marriage or their kid, they need to read the Bible more. By God’s grace He showed me that I was being unhelpful and maybe slightly abusive. God is definitely a lover of not just the end result, but the process. We should be too. Great post! Great clip!
I had to learn that lesson too. I’m thankful for God’s patience with me.
Thanks for your like of my post; you are very kind.