Momentum For Monday, October 31st 2022

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” (James 3:13)

Recently, I was able to sit down and interview someone I’ve always considered to be a hero in the faith. I sat under her leadership for a short period roughly 20 years ago. At 73, she’s been in ministry for over 50 years, and she is not planning on slowing down any time soon. Jeanne Mayo started out in ministry as a youth minister and is now coaching leaders, women, and anyone that needs ministry support.

She marked my life because she is one of the few people I’ve witnessed to ever positively change the atmosphere of a community. Today, we may know people as influencers, but this woman is more than that, she tangibly shifts the tenor of a room. Her presence is warm and anyone who has been around her would be able to confirm that sentiment.

Any time she would teach or preach at her youth events, I took notes, and the day I met with her was no different. The discussion was rich. One of my biggest questions for her was how she handled maintaining her heart from hurt and betrayal in the trenches of ministry. After all, ministry is one of the toughest jobs around because, well…people are hard to deal with constantly. And since Momentum Monday’s have been about emotions this month, I’ll share a small portion of what she told me on the topic.

When it comes to hurt, fight to process it and not hold onto it. One of the things she recommended doing was a journaling exercise. She said something that helps her cognitively process a difficult or hurtful situation (and she has had plenty) is she journals for thirty minutes on the matter for three days in a row. As fair warning, she said it wasn’t easy, but it really helps to unpack feelings. You don’t have to be elegant. You don’t have to be eloquent. You just need to be committed to the process.

If you’re going through or coming out of a tough season, maybe take the time and give the journaling exercise a try. If three days isn’t enough, try three more. Your mental and emotional health is worth it. And coming from someone that’s been in ministry for over five decades, I’ll think I’ll trust her words of wisdom.