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Date Posted: 08:06:26 12/08/11 Thu
Author: Rev. Mark McManus
Author Host/IP: 184.166.234.51
Subject: WHEN YOU ARE TOO CLOSE TO THE SITUATION

Greeting to all my UCMI family. I recently went through a situation involving a family member. In the heat and heart of the moment, in which I had to draw some hard boundaries on destructive behaivors, I found an eye opening thing had occured.

In the midst of the situation in which became emotionally escelated due to the situation and the implications of this persons behaivor, I realized that "In the moment" I was not Reverend Mark McManus, or Pastor Mark, or Police Chaplain McManus, I was just Mark.

I was a Father who was hurting, angry, and had come to the end of the line in enabling certain things. Had I video taped the event and submitted it to be a pastoral training on intervention, boundary setting, or de-escelation, it would have promptly been returned.

Why? I was too close, or as we say at the recovery center where I work..I was immeshed. That's why they don't let doctors operate on family, or Law emforcement to respond to a family call. Objectivity is skewed no matter how on key you might think your game is at the time.

The situation ended in my calling the police, but I knew from past experiences that WE DON'T DO THIS ALONE...
so I had dispatch send a fellow PD Chaplain on scene immediately. One of the things I have seen throw people into the traps of the enemy is isolating and trying to do it all alone. The truth is? WE NEED EACH OTHER! I NEED YOU! Especially in the last days.

When we are hurting, struggling or dealing with an issue in which we are so close that our perspective is skewed by our own bent, we need those in the body of Christ who will speak the truth in love, from a godly, loving, yet emotionally detached and objective place. And we need their edification, exhortation, and comfort in the healing or post trauma period after an incident. So here is what Mark.... learned that night.

A. We don't go through things alone
B. We need each other. Not reaching out is not noble it is pride.
C. When we are emotionally too close, we lose perspective, we need...we ALL need wise, godly counsel and prayer for our fellow believers.
D. After we have our "close encounters" moments the enemy will try to come in with condemnation. Shoulda Coulda Woulda, and of course.. How could you be so human you are supposed to be Reverend so and so. No Rev..is simply and office of service in the body, a sinner saved by the grace and blood of Jesus Christ is who I am.

Stay connected, reach out, be transparent with those in the body who love, support, and are objective, espcially during the holidays.. God bless and please know I am so very thankful for you, brother Steve, my fellow ministers, and the family of UCMI.
;

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Replies:

Re: WHEN YOU ARE TOO CLOSE TO THE SITUATION -- Pastor Scott, 22:47:38 12/10/11 Sat
Re: WHEN YOU ARE TOO CLOSE TO THE SITUATION -- Rodney E. Dover, 11:53:38 12/13/11 Tue