Seven months into starting MAGH Australia, and over 18 months into my doctorate in Medicine, God announced to me that it was time to pull the pin re my post grad. This was a shock! “What did You mean, Lord? Did I do something wrong? Am I out of Your will? Sleeping four hours in a day for eighteen months, thousands of dollars in tuition, working full time, facilitating MAGH etc.? But I thought You gave me permission and grace to start the post grad?” 

 

This was one of the biggest ‘blows’ I received in my life. To be candid, I struggled! I explored ways to pretend I never heard Him in the first place to withdraw from the program. I told myself I would bargain with the Med school to put my tuition on hold. 

 

All this while, I was fasting and praying and hoping God would change His mind. In the wake of the aftershock, I became angry and frustrated - with myself and with God (for wasting ‘my’ time and resources), then felt guilty that I let myself down and everybody I mentioned my doctorate in Medicine journey to. I felt sad as I mourned the loss of self-esteem and my perceived ability to achieve this career goal.

 

As I was meditating on the second beatitude, I wondered if Jesus Christ was addressing the socially accepted way of mourning which may result from a loss. Was it that men were not allowed to express a sense of loss? Was He addressing women too? Was the Middle-Eastern culture one that you do not express grief especially openly, similar to the Western culture? Do you always have to have it together, especially as a man, a leader, a father, or a pastor?

 

Jesus Christ would have captured their attention when he openly declare to his listeners: “You are to be envied when you mourn…” In other words, this can be read as “Happy are you when you are sad…” What! Is this a joke? Definitely, a paradox!

 

Jesus knew that as they journeyed with Him, they may mourn the loss of perceived precious things - courage, vision, passion etc. But rest assured they were covered - they will be comforted.

 

Prayer Point

Father, in every area I may have experienced loss of motivation, energy, passion, time, I receive the encouragement I need to rebound. According to Psalm 30:11,  I declare "You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness." IJN

 

Matthew 5:4 - “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”

 

Word-studies

Mourn (Pentheó): to mourn, to lament 

Comfort (Parakaleó): to exhort, to encourage (to infuse with courage).

 

As men, especially the competitive ones [You know yourselves], we will do everything within our power to prevent losing. We relate to life using a win-lose paradigm. We win, others lose.

It is okay to mourn. It is okay to be uncomfortable. 

 

It is okay to experience distress: for there is divine support. Scheming to not experience any discomfort in life does not make you superior to any other human being. 

 

Mourning, discomfort, distress are not threats that cannot be contained - Jesus already promised “You shall be comforted.” There is an antidote to the loss you have experienced, experiencing or may yet experience! Be comforted, be encouraged!

 

Concerning the things we consider significantly precious, things we fear to lose - our reputation, our social standing, our respect, our accolades and achievements etc., Jesus teaching in Matthew 16:25-27 declares, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” What are willing to lose to find God?

 

Prayer Point

Father, according to your word in Mathew 19:27-29 "Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”

 

28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 

 

29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. I receive the hundredfolds with eternal life. IJN Let's pray!

 

Jesus was preparing His mentees by telling them that, for the brand He would commit into their hands to be great, they have to be willing to make sacrifices (Romans 12:1), to give up what they perceive precious, to be comfortable with loss and mourning etc. 

 

Abraham was a brilliant example of a patriarch that was willing to give up precious Isaac, not sure of what he was going to get, but comfort!

 

Let’s face it gentlemen, we struggle to let go some things we find as pleasurable and comfortable. There are some things you will need to part with in order to inherit the kingdom of heaven. Some things will come to a divine closure through the sovereign will of God. There are others that you will personally have to bring to an end. Either way, you will have to mourn the loss of things you once had hope in. Alas, you can avail yourself of God’s comfort and encouragement.

 

Prayer Point

Father, let me realise that there is nothing too big for me to let go in order to inherit your kingdom and eternal life. I submit my self and my all to you today as I prepare to experience all the exploits You have for me this year IJN.

Prayer Point

Father, in every area I may have experienced loss of motivation, energy, passion, time, I receive the encouragement I need to rebound. According to Psalm 30:11,  I declare "You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness." IJN