“Unprecedented. Uncharted. Unparalleled. These are just some of the words that were repeatedly used to describe our lives amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. One moment we were living as usual, and the next, everything we knew had changed. Schools and churches closed, vacations and weddings were canceled, our state came under a “shelter-in-place” order, and life continued to evolve daily. “Normal” changed—and we still don’t know for how long.”
I wrote that paragraph approximately five years ago, near the beginning of the events surrounding the pandemic. While it may feel, in some ways, as if those events belong to a distant past—a specter from another time—the reality is we are only half a decade removed from that seismic shift in our world.
The purpose here is not to reopen old wounds or delve into the political, financial, relational, cultural, or spiritual ramifications of the pandemic. There are appropriate times and places for those conversations. Rather, the point is this: our lives, even apart from a global crisis, are often under immense stress. As pastors, staff, and ministry leaders, we must take intentional steps to care for our own spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.
If you’ve ever flown on a commercial plane, you’ve heard a familiar instruction during the pre-flight safety briefing: “In case of a loss of cabin pressure, put on your own oxygen mask first before assisting others.” The principle is simple: before we can effectively and compassionately serve others, we must first care for ourselves and be God-honoring stewards of our own lives and bodies.
Here is a short list of practices and principles you may consider to reset and recalibrate your life:
· Ask your spouse or a trusted godly friend to offer an honest evaluation of your life, schedule, and current situation. Listen with humility—without defensiveness or preconceived notions.
· Make an appointment with your primary care provider for a wellness or annual physical. Be honest about any issues you’re experiencing, including stress or fatigue.
· Place your calendar under the lordship of Christ. Jesus is to have preeminence in all things, including your schedule. If you don’t take control of your time, someone else will.
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Examine your heart and life for areas that have not been fully surrendered to God and His plan—including the abandonment of Sabbath rest. If confession and repentance are needed, pursue them, so you may experience the refreshing grace and mercy of the Lord.
Praying and cheering for you—today and always.
Jeff