We Grieve With Them

When the news broke on Saturday that Rick & Kay Warren's 27 year old son, Matthew, committed suicide  I grieved along with most Christians, and prayed for comfort and strength for the Warrens. My son is the same age as their son. I can't imagine the full horror of their pain. 

However, there are some, including some professed believers, who have used this tragedy to intensify their criticisms of Rick Warren, his teachings and his ministry. How insensitive and cruel can someone be? That form of spiritual bullying has no place among the people of God. No matter what you may think about Rick Warren's books, teaching and ministry, this is NOT the time for criticism.

Beth Moore's passionate, powerful written response, Sadness and Madness, said it best. Here is her conclusion.

But even now at the hardest moment of their lives the Warrens can teach something vital if we are willing to learn. Their heartbreak demonstrates what has always been true but has never been more profoundly overlooked: these who serve us publicly also suffer privately. They are not caricatures. They are not just personalities. They are people living on a painful planet with the rest of us.

The Warrens will come forth like gold. The enemy will not win. They will fight the good fight. They will finish the race. They will keep the faith.

I love the Body of Christ. I don’t want want to get cynical. I don’t want to sit around and hate the haters or I become one. But this morning I just want to say this. We can love each other better. Let’s do. People have enough hurt. Let’s be careful with one another.

Please read her whole article at the link.

Pray for Rick and Kay Warren. Grieve with them. They are our brother and sister. They are grieving  They need us.  The following note appeared on Rick Waren's Twitter feed last night:

7h

Grieving is hard.Grieving as public figures,harder.Grieving while haters celebrate your pain,hardest.Your notes sustained us

May the Lord give them much comfort and grace.