How do you minister to hurting people when you are one of the hurting?

 It began as a typical Saturday morning, as I went about my regular routines. Then came the “phone call.” On the line was Phil Spencer, the national director of Racers For Christ–Australia, and I could tell from his voice that something was seriously wrong. The news hit me hard. Phil was covering a boat race near Sydney where a crash during a test run had taken to lives of two racers, one of whom was a close friend to Phil. Phil’s pain was quite evident, especially considering that he had dealt with numerous fatalities already this season. We talked and prayed, and the remainder of the day found me rather solemn and pensive.

 That night I climbed into bed, reflecting on the challenges we face in being chaplains to the world of Motorsports. Suddenly, the phone rang, and I received the “second call”. A very troubled Linda Smiley informed me that one of her dear friends and an RFC-member had been killed during a test session in Oklahoma, a crash which also took the life of the driver’s own son. I remember thinking: it just doesn’t get any worse than this.

 Amidst the devastation surrounding this news, I reflected on a tragic day in 1996 when I was covering the NHRA US Nationals drag race in Indianapolis. It was my first time to face a double fatality during a single event. Soon the painful memories of that weekend were weakened by the realization that we had faced (for the first time in RFC’s ministry) two double-fatality experiences on the same day. Even though these events took place on opposite ends of the earth, the shock and pain were nonetheless stunning to my soul.

 Suddenly a piercing question overwhelmed my spirit. How do you minister to hurting people when you are one of the hurting?

 It is during times like this that the "glamour" of ministry meets the painfulness of reality. As ministers and chaplains, we are called upon to care and pray for the needs of hurting people—especially during times of tragedy. It requires all of the emotional strength and spiritual fortitude we can muster. But perhaps the greatest challenge we face is learning how to allow the grace of God to minister to our own needs and hurts before we can effectively provide spiritual assistance to others.

  In my own experience over the years, I have had to view these times as a type of “pass-through” situation, In other words, as I am formulating thoughts in my mind to communicate to others, I first have to allow those thoughts to pass through my own spirit and minister to my own personal needs. While never easy, God is ever gracious and faithful to provide the right amount of strength and comfort that is needed

  The lesson is quite simple. Only God can minister to the needs of hurting people. And only God can minister to the hurts of our lives. Fortunately for all of us, God is big enough to handle both at the same time.

Ken Owen
President Emeritus