Though briefly mentioned in part one of the interview, Burson believes the fact that he was an introvert was a major obstacle to overcome. It had caused him to grow up with a lack of self-confidence. In fact, he still admits to having less confidence than he would like: giving God the credit for getting him through many situations he lacked the human confidence to endure.
Burson admits to realizing what made the difference was God calling him into the ministry: that there was a message God had given him to share with the world --- the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The message became such an important part of his life, after all it was his chosen profession, that he felt it gave him a sense of freedom to proclaim it --- and God has continued to bless him as a result.
Burson contends he found a way to express himself through God's word.
Anger was another obstacle he had to overcome. It was a character trait that paved the way for Burson to engage in various sinful acts that he had been a party to throughout his life.
"I had a temper, and did a lot of fighting growing up," said Burson. "I wasn't happy just to whip someone in a fight, I had to hurt them."
He recalled times when he tried to drown a boy, beat another boy in the head with a rock, and stomped a man's head on concrete during a bar fight.
Psychologists inform us that such angry outbursts are often signs of individuals with low self-esteem, or a lack of self-confidence. It gives them a brief, although false, sense of power.
That same insecurity manifested itself into an exaggerated "fear of God," said Burson. An unrealistic fear that had him believing God would punish him for every infraction. And he recalls the feeling of "walking on eggshells," where God was concerned.
That fear and dread vanished when Burson finally realized the extent of God's love for him: for all mankind. He remembers the transformation occurred when John 3:16 became a personal revelation, and not just some nice sounding words on a piece of paper.
When he acquired the proper perspective and attained a much deeper relationship with God, he was able to master the anger and violence issues in his life.
"I realized true Christians don't act that way," said Burson, "and I've had a different view of people, and myself, from that point on."
God had kept the problematic areas of his life continuously in the forefront until Burson finally dealt with them properly. A lesson for anyone who seems to keep running into the same obstacles over-and-over.
Pastor Burson admits that the subsequent four decades of ministry have not been without additional hurdles to overcome, but the blessings have far outweighed the problems and his past.
He readily acknowledges the blessing of his "wonderful wife" Josie, three "great kids" (Susan, Rick, and Rose), and six "equally great" grandchildren.
"Josie is a story unto herself," Burson said. And he confesses his continued amazement at how she remained with him during those early years when he was not a true Christian, and still had the anger issues.
"I treated her horribly," he said. Yet she remained because of a Christian heart, and her love for him, the children, and especially for Jesus.
Burson credits the success of their 46 year marriage initially to his wife's focus on Christ... and now, their continued focus on Christ as a couple.
When you view your mate's actions through godly eyes, instead of your own, it's amazing how much you can forgive: a principle Burson believes whole-heartedly.
Though Burson admits to being blessed materialistically as well, it is clear that relationships are what he views as his "biggest blessings." And those relationships extend far beyond the immediate family.
Additional blessed events during Burson's ministerial walk have been the unexplainable or miraculous incidents, which continually surprise him no matter how often they may occur.
During his years as a minister he has spent time at the VA hospitals, along with being a hospice chaplain at a community hospital. In other words, Burson has become somewhat of a specialist in dealing with the spiritual needs of the sick, dying, and the families of the dearly departed.
Having been a witness to so many transitional events has given Burson a unique perspective that most individuals could not understand. It has also allowed him to observe various unusual situations that can only be described as miraculous.
On more than one occasion Burson was invited to pray over comatose patients, and yet, upon his arrival the patient was already awake and waiting for him (because a mysterious person informed them he was coming), or they awoke while he began to explain the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Similarly, family members of those he prayed for would later reveal how they had received a vision or dream that he would be the one to help their loved ones find salvation before passing on.
One patient awakening from a coma at the moment Burson arrives or begins to testify about Christ might be accepted as a coincidence, but multiple comatose patients over various years --- that is no coincidence.
Sadly, all the patients he offered the good news to did not accept. Even in situations when Burson believes God allowed them to recieve one last chance to escape dying in their sins, some still refused.
God will not overrule their free will, and their hearts were hardened to the point of rejecting salvation even on their death beds.
Burson recalls a few of these individuals dying within minutes after his conversation with them.
Thankfully, Burson contends that a majority under those circumstances realized the uniqueness of the situation and accepted Christ.
He recalls one lady, who had been on hospice watch for six-months, and constantly claimed to already be a Christian (having attended church for many years), became hysterical as her time approached. Her family sent for him because she kept screaming, "I'm going to die, and I'm going to hell!" Over and over she yelled the phrase as she thrashed about her bed.
Not until Pastor Burson arrived and honestly led her to the Lord did she finally calm down. And she remained calm for the next three days until she passed away.
"You cannot simply pay God lip service and expect to be saved," said Burson. "It has to be a heart felt repentance." And the fore mentioned lady realized that just in time: she had attended church for years, but she had never truly repented of her sins.
If God had not showed such a wonderful example of loving and compassionate guidance toward Pastor Burson throughout his life, he would never have been able to show the same style of guidance to the many needy souls that have crossed his path throughout the many years he's been in the ministry.
As he and his wife say, "good-bye" to FBC, on the way to a new ministerial endeavor, they will continue to rely on God's guidance.
"We've let God down," Burson said, "but He has never let us down."
