Mental Health

I posted yesterday, that when I asked Dad what were doing during our camping getaway, that his response to me was nothing... that in particular, I was doing nothing, except relaxing. It occurred to me, while at work yesterday, just how difficult of a process this is to complete.

Getting the body to relax is one thing. Getting the mind to actually unplug from the concerns, worries and frustrations of everyday life is quite another. As I considered how much trouble I have with this aspect of "relaxing", I know I'm not alone in the struggle. Pastors of any position and tenure in ministry have problems mentally disengaging.

I can't help but wonder how much the structure of a church comes in to play. If the senior pastor is in the position to focus on prayer and study of the Word, there is generally a pretty strong infrastructure of people and pastors who are helping carry the load and operational concerns. If this isn't the case then obviously, the senior pastor could be quite stressed.

Of course, if the senior pastor is trying to get to such a place in their ministry, then everyone is stepping up, carrying additional levels of stress. I don't know that anyone plans to find themselves so mentally taxed that if feels as if your head and/or the world is spinning out of control, but when you repeatedly, consistently find yourself not being able to make heads and tails of situations and circumstances and what directions you should take, it's a sure sign you could be in serious trouble if you don't find a way to mentally disengage.

It eventually shows. It eventually catches up to you and wreaks havoc. And the longer it goes unresolved, the harder it is to change and make forward, positive progress...

both in life and in ministry.

On that note, let's pray this #associatePastorTuesday for those struggling to truly relax. Pray the Holy Spirit would bring rest to the hearts and minds of those who are distressed, frustrated and confused. May there be a release in the spirit realm, as they place their trust in God anew and afresh. Pray for wisdom and discernment to come forward as a clarity from God breaks through the confusion and tension of life. Pray for a quickening and a fresh resolve to renew and energize their spirits; to make good situations better and to make the best of situations that have been a point of contention.

May our minds not stand in the way
Of the clarity of purpose that God has prepared.
Uncluttered and de-stressed.
Ready to be used by God
To that which He has called us to fulfill.
For His glory and the cause of Christ.

- PNC

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