February 14, 2026 Issue, Page 4 of 13

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4• SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2026 RELIGION The Elk City News Area Church Directory Assembly of God Assembly of God 115 W. 5th St., Erick Pastor: Gary Griffin Assembly of God 7th and Locust St., Sayre 580-928-4296 Jimmy Blanken, Min. First Assembly of God 2701 S. Randall , Elk City 580-225-1167 Kevin Akins, Min. THE ILLUSION OF CLOSURE Dixie Yoder Psychological closure and spiritual relief often get treated as if they’re the same thing, but the Bible consistently shows they operate on different levels. We can resolve a situation in our mind and still feel unrest in our soul. That tension is actually a major biblical theme and explains why psychological closure falls short. First, we need a definition. Psychological closure is about mental resolution: We want to make sense of what happened We want to tie up emotional loose ends We want to reach a point where the mind stops searching for answers We want to reach a point of no pain so we can march cheerfully into the next situation An honest evaluation of this definition makes it clear that bringing an end to a situation in that way is impossible. Scripture teaches that the deepest questions and unrest in a person aren’t simply cognitive; it’s a deeply spiritual condition. To enjoy genuine rest from the turmoil of a painful situation requires much more then simple hu- man understanding. Spiritual relief in the Bible comes from God’s presence; receiving His forgiveness, healing, and restoration, not merely from our limited understanding of a situation. As we seek to know “why”, the mind can gain some understanding, but it is never complete. We can intellectually process a loss, betrayal, or disappointment, yet still feel emotionally and spiritually heavy. Scripture shows us why: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5. Understanding (psychological closure) is not the same as trusting (spiritual rest). Psychological closure is unable to remove guilt and shame of emotional and spiritual wounds. We can repeatedly explain our circumstance to ourselves, trying to reason it away or shift the blame for how we feel onto someone else, but only God is able to deal with the deeper layers of the soul. Restoration is a divine act, not a mental technique. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews
Psychological closure cannot accomplish reconciliation with God. We can address conflict with another person or with self, but lasting peace comes from God’s forgiveness and presence. “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1. Peace with God is not achieved through psychological processing, but trusting even before there is relief from pain. Psychological closure doesn’t heal spiritual anxiety. The Bible distinguishes between mental worry and spiritual peace. “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7. Psychological closure doesn’t address spiritual warfare. Some unrest isn’t psychological at all; it’s spiritual. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood…”. Ephesians 6:12. Since every struggle has a definite spiritual component, the mental resolution of psychological closure can’t bring lasting relief. Psychological closure seeks freedom from pain by making sense of the situation with the mind. Spiritual freedom comes from knowing that even when we cannot make sense of evil and sorrow, God, who knows all things, provides comfort and hope. True rest and peace comes from knowing God, not from knowing all the “whats and whys”. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 Jesus doesn’t say, “Understand your situation and you’ll find rest.” He says, “Come to Me.” Infinite Grace Ministries is a wonderful place to learn to know God personally. Call 580-774-2884 for more information. Grandview Assembly of God Pioneer and Country Club, Elk City 580-225-7742 Bryan Herrick Baptist Prairie View Baptist I-40 & S Hwy 34, Elk City Pastor Tod Thornton Sunday School 9:15, Worship 10:30 Wed Prairie View Troops 3:30 Wed Prayer Meeting 6:30 Retrop Baptist Church Intersection Hwy 6 and 55 580-303-0791 Catholic Queen of All Saints 914 N. 5th St., Sayre 580-928-2385 Rev. Danny Grover St. Mathews Catholic 3001 E. Hwy 66, Elk City 580-225-0066 Rev. Danny Grover Christian Great Plains Baptist Assn. 1902 Watts St., Sayre 580-928-2585 Antioch Christian 3200 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 580-243-0066 Jeff McDowell Calvary Baptist Church 1018 W B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-5344 Pastor Brad Hyatt Sunday Worship 11 am Wednesday 6 pm Christian Church 1 S. Walnut, Erick 580-526-3284 Central Missionary Baptist 1205 W. B Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0212 Eastside Baptist 421 N. Booth Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0742 Chase Brower, Min. Fairview Baptist 312 S. Lusk Avenue, Elk City 580-225-0203 First Baptist 1600 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 580-225-7951 First Baptist 400 S. Sheb Wooley, Erick 580-526-3375 Jason Klechner, Min. First Baptist 504 N. 4th St., Sayre 580-928-5518 First Christian Church (Diciples of Christ) 1500 N. Randall, Elk City 580-225-7801 First Christian 1601 N. 4th St., Sayre 580-928-3639 Church of Christ Church of Christ 216 N. Adams Ave., Elk City 580-225-0718 Gantt Carter, Min. 301 S. Magnolia Ave, Erick Douglas Holland, Minister 816-726-6988 Bible Study 10am Sunday Worship 11am Sunday Ladies Bible Study 10am Wednesday Evening Open Bible Study 7pm Wednesday Lutheran Christ Lutheran 1023 W. 2nd St., Elk City 580-225-2266 Seventh-Day Adventist Seventh-Day Adventist 11375 N. 1990 Rd., Elk City 580-472-3472 Service times: 2:00 pm Bible Study 2:50 pm Church Service Methodist United Methodist 702 W. Country Club Blvd, Elk City 580-225-0262 Scott Rodgers, Rev. United Methodist 320 S. Magnoliea St., Erick 580-526-3949 United Methodist 802 N. 4th St., Sayre • 580-928-2146 Sun School: 9:30 AM/Worship:10:45 Nazarene First Church of The Nazarene 816 W. 6th St., Elk City 580-225-2026 Rev. Andrew Dages Pentecostal Grace Temple 601 W. 20th St, Elk City Lindell & Nequita Brown, Pastors Iglesia Evangelica Cristo Es La Pena 600 W. Main, Elk City Pastor, Jose Reyes 580-799-2964 Presbyterian First Presbyterian 217 N. Washington Ave., Elk City 580-225-3130 Non-Denominational The Way Church 201 S. Jefferson Ave., Elk City Church of Christ Elk City Meets at Pioneer & Bell 580-501-0175 [email protected] Elk City Community 120 S. Randall Ave., Elk City 580-225-1184 Main Street Baptist 1101 N. Main St., Elk City 580-225-2938 Westside Church of Christ 580-225-3052 Gateway 4227 W. 3rd St., Elk City 580-225-1184 Curtis Newton, Min. Mt. Carmal Baptist 1801 W. A Avenue, Elk City 580-225-2061 Church of God 501 W. 1st, Elk City 580-225-0227 Joe Thompson, Min. First Hispanic Baptist 919 W. 8th St., Elk City 580-225-7901 One Church 200 East Broadway, Elk City 580-210-8881 Kevin Brosius (pastor) Jehovah’s Witnesses Jehovah’s Witnesses 402 E. Washington Ave., Sayre 580-928-9330 The Link 200 S. Main, Elk City Trinity Fellowship Sayre 580-928-2345 Christ Ministiries 804 W. 6th St., Elk City 580-243-9708 SUPPORT & RECOVERY RESOURCES AA-Elk City Original Group– 113 Meadow Ridge Dr Suite K, Elk City–M-F at noon & M,W,F,S,Su at 7pm AA-Elk City Southside Group– 105 Meadow Ridge Dr, Elk City, Nightly at 7pm NA-Elk City– 100 S. Monroe Ave, Suite 18, Elk City, Nightly at 7pm CR - The Link Church - 200 S. Main St, Elk City, Mon at 7pm CR - Great Plains Baptist Association- 1906 N Watts, Sayre - Th 6:30 SUBSCRIBE TODAY Current news and great deals delivered right to your door! Call today to support the church page! 580-225-3000