Date: Jun 30, 2003 [ 8: 37: 12]
Subject: Tip of the Week - Burnout - Prevention - 1
© 2003 BCP Harry Shelton Cole
Subject: Tip of the Week - Burnout - Prevention - 1
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Tip of the Week 06-13-97
Burnout - Prevention - 1
No one can or should want to escape stress. It is a vital part of our
lives. However, when stress is internalized rather than dealt with, it
becomes deadly. Here are 3 tips to help the church planter or pastor in
dealing with stress.
1. Take charge of your life - If you don't, who will? Make up your mind
that you are going to discipline yourself to effectively giving yourself
the necessary tools to defeat stress
a. Loose weight - control your eating - healthy diet
b. Exercise regularly - walk, swim, ride a bike
c. Take a regular day off - read, relax, rejuvenate
2. Seek God's wisdom for balance - I know this sounds simplistic and
spiritual but it is crucial. I complained once to a friend that there were
not enough hours in a day to get all the things done I needed too. He
asked me if God had made a mistake in putting 24 hours in a day. "No," I
responded. Then he asked what it was that was not God's will that I was
doing. You see, in God's will he will never give you more than you can
handle. He will never lead you into a nervous breakdown or burnout. If
you cannot handle it, then there is a lack of balance and you are trying to
do too much.
3. Get back to the "Star Trek Days" - When my kids were little and we
would take a drive, I would pretend we were in a Star Ship going warp
speed. I would press the buttons and give the commands to launch photon
torpedoes. Every once in while I get in the car with my grown kids and we
laugh as I try to recapture the "Star Trek Days". Many times stress is
caused by having to do something that you just don't want to do. So?
Start doing what you like doing! If I don't miss my guess many of us enjoy
the ministry. There are many aspects of it that are absolutely enjoyable.
Preachers don't burnout doing things they love doing. Chances are, they
are the important things.
Burnout - Prevention - 2 - next week
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