MINISTRY – LIFE BALANCE (Part 2)
Robert Murray M’Cheyne said, “God gave me a horse and a message, now I have killed the horse and could not deliver the message”. He said that on his death bed. He started ministry at 26 years and died at 29 years of age. It is vitally important that ministers are able to strike the much needed balance between ministry and living. If truly His yoke is easy, why are ministers experiencing heavy laden in ministry? It is as a result of lack of balance on our part. (Matthew 11: 28-30).
Many ministers burn out. Burnout leads to loss of interest, lack of emotion, loss of motivation and possible depression. Eventually, they suffer from poor health ( stroke, high or low sugar levels), Family crisis (separation, divorce and wayward children), Unresolved conflict (anger, hurt and terrible words), Poor performance (emotional depletion), Financial loss (debts, losses and poor decision making). Getting angry, stressed up, and becoming irrational are also the outcome of stress and burnout.
A balance minister must strive to have: Emotional balance, Mental balance, Family balance, Spiritual balance, Social balance, Financial balance, Physical balance, and Psychological balance. If you are not balanced in these areas, then you can’t minister successfully to others.
Here are steps to achieve this balance:
1. Re-order your priorities right: God first, family second, ministry last. “Work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls – family, health, friends, integrity – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered” – Gary Keller.
2. Eat healthy foods in measures: Healthy foods not junk foods; and not after 6-7pm.
3. Drink alkaline or living waters.
4. Train others and delegate your work.
5. Spend time with your spouse and children: “I believe that being successful means having a balance of success stories across the many areas of your life. You can’t truly be considered successful in your business life if your home life is in shambles” – Zig Ziglar.
6. Have peace with God and possess the peace of God (Isaiah 26:3) .
7. Avoid toxic feelings, thoughts and words.
8. Take healthy breaks to refresh yourself.
9. Take time to seek and wait upon God.
10. Exercise – walk, jog, ride bicycle or stretch.
11. Take time off – vacations, holidays and rest periods.
12. Learn to have 6-7 hours night sleep. Catch a nap in the day time, too.
13. Rest in the Lord to work through you.
14. Have a good mentor (spiritual father).
Shall we round off this series in the words of Mother Theresa, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family”.