Well, we are making our final approach to the 500th anniversary of the Reformation that

will be celebrated on Tuesday, the 31st, and this weekend is a big one for you, Pastor

John. You're right now in Phoenix, Arizona, speaking several times, including Friday

and Saturday at Grand Canyon University, and then scheduled to preach Sunday, Reformation

Sunday at Harvest Bible Church. So please be praying for Pastor John and his busy weekend

in Phoenix. We would appreciate it. Today's question comes from a listener named Barb.

Pastor John, hello. I've been blessed to be in the same local church for 12 years. It's

a very good church. Nevertheless, over those years, I have seen most of the congregation

come and go. People who walked with me through difficult life circumstances have left, and

I've started over. I feel more and more lonely as the time passes by, mostly because I

feel myself becoming more cynical, cautious, and superficial with new people. It's hard

work getting to know them, and I know that they will likely move on before long. What would

you say to a Christian who is growing relationally jaded by membership turnover?

I would love to help Barb overcome the drift, because it is a sinful drift, even if an

understandable one, the drift toward cynicism or anger or low-grade bitterness. If for

no other reason, then it won't solve her problem, and it will only make her own life more

sad and miserable. Then her sense of abandonment will become a self-fulfilling prophecy, because

nobody wants to be around a bitter person. Several things come to my mind that might help.

Let me just offer them to Barb and see if they might be of service one. Keep a clear

biblical view of this life, this earthly life, this church life, this family life, this

earthly life as a season of partly joyful, partly painful waiting for the fulfillment of

all God's promises, a mindset of waiting in an imperfect situation. Much of our frustration,

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