I work for Link Care Center, a counseling center that serves pastors and missionaries around the world. Many people come to Link Care because they become overwhelmed or burnt out in their work. Self-care hasn’t been on their priority list and they’ve fallen into depression or discouragement because they only cared for others. Learning to have balance in our lives is so important and it is what Carol is writing about in this chapter.I’m just going to ask you to share your answers to three of this week’s questions: 1,2 and 9. Thank you for taking time to prayerfully consider your answers. May each of us sense how God is teaching us how to better live as care-givers.
2 comments:
These are thought provoking questions to me even though I know the "right" answers. Practicing what I preach isn't always easy--and the way I live each day reveals what I really prioritize.
In reality, Self Care shows up in my life in the walk I take with my husband each morning, exercise, and a fairly healthy diet. Those are givens. What is harder to fit in are regular days off that include a sabbath rest and quality times with friends whose conversation encourages and enriches me like iron sharpening iron. I skype, email and phone with family and friends to keep up relationships, but that often feels like an exchange of news rather than heart time. We're facing another move--it will probably happen in the next few months--and again I'm grieving only having long distance relationships. Maybe that will change with our next assignment. I think that would really enrich my self-care.
Burnout is a word I supposedly know all about because of my profession--and it is true--I have met and tried to provide resources for many people in ministry who are dealing with burnout. They've given so much and taken in so little that they have nothing left to give and no joy for living. I struggle with this myself--especially when my job takes me into areas that feel way above my head and abilities. I think living with burnout is wrong--it isn't where God would have us live. We've been hoodwinked into serving for wrong reasons or serving in ways that are unhealthy and we've ended up discouraged, in despair and worn out. This isn't the abundant life God has for us. It isn't the path He would have us take. If we are living with burnout, we really (I really) need to take a time out and ask some hard questions--like what did I believe that got me here--what were the motivations of my overwork--what do I need to do to realign myself to God and to His ways?
The answer to question 9 probably varies from day to day for me. Today I'm feeling overwhelmed and very distant from my family's needs I feel responsible for. I'm also feeling sad to face another move--leaving relationships I'm invested in and going into the unknown again where my roles and responsibilities are undefined--that feels overwhelming to me. My self care need today is probably to allow God to change my perspective to focusing on the waves to looking to Him. Does that sound trite? I don't mean it to, but I really need to rest in Him, be willing to go for the adventure, to release things I can't do anything about to Him. I'm sometimes my own worst enemy.
God--thank you that you understand all of this so much better than me. I'm choosing to relax and rest in you. Help my focus, trust and confidence be you.
Linda,
I am so sorry to have "gone silent" on you... We have had guests on top of guests in our home these past few weeks... so much has been set aside. I will jump back in and try to read a bit tonight... I think my last read was ch.5... so I have a bit of catching up to do. Bless you and your faithfulness.
~Steph
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