How's Your Self-Care?

This may seem a strange topic for this week. After all, it’s Halloween and we just celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation last Sunday and All Saints’ Sunday is coming up next. At my home church there seems to be something major in every Sunday in October – Worldwide Communion, Thanksgiving, Anniversary, Reformation. Lucky me hit preaching the one Sunday that was “normal”.

With a variety of events going on, and with my sinus cold making a reappearance, it’s made me think about how important it is to take care of ourselves, particularly in busy seasons of ministry. Some of the people you serve with may ask how you’re doing, even offer to make some tea or soup if you’re sick, but in general taking care of yourself is up to you. I’m no master at this – far from it – but I’ve learned that it’s important.

No doubt about it, ministry is busy. And the demands placed on us can range from reasonable to unreasonable to off the charts ridiculous depending on the day and who is involved. Trying to have ministry/life balance is tricky, especially with family involved. When we’ve hit our max, have raccoon eyes and are snapping at everyone is not the time to figure out a helpful coping strategy. Now may be a good time to set yourself up to be healthy as Advent planning looms. Think about the following:

1. Build care into your daily routine
Be intentional about your day’s structure. You could even do up a page with hours of the day down the side. Think about your sleep schedule and plot it in – are you getting enough at the right time for you? How can you start the day priming yourself for success? Do you dedicate the day to God before your mind starts racing, by praying, reading scripture, acknowledging God’s care in a moment of quiet, or something else that works for you? What things are seemingly immovable in your schedule? Do you plan for a reasonable amount of time to prepare food and eat so you’re not shoveling it in?

2. Body
We are to love God with all our strength. I’m no gym person, and I certainly need to work in this area, but even planning time for walking or on a treadmill or doing a sport you enjoy helps reduce stress and, if it’s done with someone else, is good social time too. Think about food choices and take the time to plan meals ahead so you’re not grabbing whatever bag or pre-fab meal looks good on the run. Consider seeing your doctor, a dietician or naturopath to check if you’re eating the right things.

3. Mind
We are pelted with information 24/7 through social media, print, tv and radio. It can feel as though the whole world has to be taken in and commented on, which can quickly feel overwhelming. Add to this that the majority of it has the equivalent benefit to us of Lucky Charms cereal and we recognize that we need to moderate what we take in through our minds (see Romans 12:2). Choose wholesome things to consume for your mind just as you would through your diet. Just how much screen time are you spending and on what? Keep a log for a while and maybe make some changes.

4. Heart and Soul
Figure out what feeds your soul. If you are an introvert that will be very different than if you are an extrovert. The kind of ministry you do will also determine what best helps you to recharge. Take a look at your relationships – which are giving you fulfillment and allow you to be yourself? who do you have to talk to about challenges and things that drag you down? who do you have who is just a lot of fun and can give you a break from stress? What about you - where else can you worship, evening or mid-week, where you are not in charge? what religious programming and/or reading will help inspire you? how do you identify yourself besides by the ministry you do?  

I really should have broken this down over several weeks, but I think you get the gist. Perhaps you could look at one of these areas over a period of a week or more and do some fine-tuning before moving onto the next. This work is so worth the investment and takes a commitment. It could make the difference between what challenges inspire you and which ones sink you.

I’m immensely grateful for a neighbour who left some soup outside my door, not even aware that I’ve got this cold. Take care of yourself always because you are precious to people who love you and to God. Remember, that you can only help others when you are functioning yourself. Here's to valuing yourself enough to care about yourself!