Guarding Against Burnout
Likewise, for many of us, after having been in the ministry for a lengthy period, we sometimes experience "burnout." Burnout occurs when we fight the fight for too long without a period of rest or enjoyment (also known as fun!). Be on guard against burnout. It is much easier to prevent than to recover from! Following are some reminders to help you to accomplish this
- Take care of yourself-physically, emotionally, and spiritually. If
you are always running on "empty" you cannot continue to give
to those who come to you with deep needs. Self-care is crucial.
- Take care of your family. You will not be honoring God as He intended
if you are neglecting your family in any way. Strive to keep a healthy
balance between meeting their needs and the needs of the ministry
- Keep a schedule that allows you to have time for other things besides
the ministry. Remember the Three R's: Rest, Relaxation, and Refreshment.
(i.e. Have fun! Get silly. Remember to laugh! Having regular fun helps
to keep us healthy and refreshed.)
- Keep your relationship with the Lord close and intimate. You cannot
do the work of this ministry effectively without that intimacy.
- Enlist the prayer support of others who have an understanding of your
ministry and its challenges.
- Enlist the accountability of someone with whom you can share your
struggles openly and honestly-whatever those struggles may be. We need
to have someone with whom we can pour out our hearts to that will be
"Jesus with skin on" to us!
- For those God will bring to you,
- That He would speak through you to meet the person where he/she is,
- That He would give you His wisdom and discernment
- For yourself and those working alongside you, for their spiritual protection, refreshment, and health
The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it! 1 Thessalonians 5:24