As you speak with preachers across America, it is an undeniable fact that the past couple of years have been some of the most trying when it comes to the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of ministry.
We have all had people close to us who have been very sick, and some have passed away. Regulations for keeping people safe during a pandemic have been consistently changing, and sometimes that has required day-to-day decisions. Nevertheless, we have had to consider what was needed to be done inside the church for the fellowship and meeting of the saints.
With the end times coming upon them, Paul encouraged the Thessalonican church not to be shaken in mind or troubled when these things come to pass.
That is still good advice for us today!
With all the chaos of our world today, some churches across the country are growing and expanding, while many others are closing down or begging God to survive.
Pastors, missionaries, and evangelists are experiencing a mental battle as they have never faced before. Many factors contribute to this mental drain that many are facing. First, many are distracted from the ministry of the Gospel in an attempt to keep up with the country’s ever-changing regulations and political temperature.
Preachers are under pressure from all sides.
What can you do when it all becomes too much to handle?
Second, there is the subject of discouragement from many external and internal factors. People are not coming back to church like we had hoped. Ministries are not moving forward as we desire. Visions and goals from the Lord seem to be stagnant. Very quickly, discouragement can lead to the reality of depression. Depression is real even in the ministry realm of working for our Saviour.
Allow me to give a few factors that contribute to mental unhealthiness in ministry and offer a few course corrections that can be made to stay focused and mentally healthy.
Information Overload
Never in history has there been a time when, literally, at the push of a button, we can access information about any subject matter we desire. Not only is the information available for us to access, but we are constantly bombarded by information coming to us. Social media has made everything right at our fingertips, and that kind of access can mentally overload someone when it is not controlled.
Our desire to “know everything”that is going on does not help keep us focused on the task and ministry at hand. In reality, what does everything happening thousands of miles away have to do with ministering to the family next door or that sits in our church every Sunday? Save some information bandwidth for the tasks at hand. Don’t spend it all on the information that does not concern you.
Identity Crisis
This is not just a worldly crisis of identity taking place in America, but ministers of the Gospel are still trying to find their place and figure out what they believe. Am I an Independent Baptist or something else? What about all the problems people have with church? Do I want to be associated with all those preachers and allegations being made? Where do I fit in for fellowship without compromising what we believe from the Scriptures?
If we are not careful, we will allow others to define who we are and not have our identity founded and secure in our position in Christ confirmed by the Bible. It is so mentally tiring to try and keep determining whether you are of Paul, Apollos, or of Christ (I Corinthians 3:4). Focus on who we are in Christ and live in the confidence we find in the Scriptures.
Instructional Failures
Everyone knows one of the most popular statements in ministry is, “They didn’t teach me that in Bible College.” Many times, I have found that to be a true statement. The other times, I have found that my instructors tried to teach me, but I did not pay attention. Regardless, we know that not everything that we need to learn can be taught in a few years. Are there education failures at institutions of learning? Yes. Does every church adequately prepare preachers for the ministry? No. Is it my responsibility to continue to figure it out, to read, to be mentored, and to learn the things that I did not? Yes.
I know that this is a ditch that I have fallen into, so I’m sure that others have also. We spend too much time mulling over what we have not learned, or complaining about past instructional failures that we fail to focus on learning, increasing in wisdom, and building on the educational foundation we do have. There is not one place that will teach everything doctrinally, practically, and mentally needed for ministry work. God has given us the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and spiritual mentors in our lives to continue growing in the truth and ministry of the Gospel.
With these causes of mental drainage we experience, we must learn how to guard our mental health. What disciplines will help guard and even strengthen our mental health as preachers?
1. DELEGATE
First, we can delegate some tasks that seem to be overloading us in the ministry work. I, for one, know that this is easier said than done. Many times, there may not be people that have the ability to take care of these tasks for us.
When this is the case, our focus must be on true, biblical discipleship to train people in service for the Lord. Nothing will consume and wear a minister out more than attempting to do more than what he is physically, mentally, or emotionally able to accomplish. Often, the mental drain from the lack of task delegation comes from the effort of completing the tasks along with the personal frustration of not having help we need. Reduce your cognitive load by allowing others to share it with you.
2. DISCONNECT
Second, we can disconnect for a break away from everyday tasks. Many have the opinion that ministers are not allowed to take a vacation or get away for a few days. May I remind each of us that it is okay to get apart for a time of refreshing physically and mentally? A vacation benefits the minister and is a great help for the church family. This time away does not necessarily need to be a separate
location for a few days. It could be an activity that changes the focus of your mind for a few hours. This mini- vacation could be a hobby you spend time on, a secret fishing place you go to, or a mountain you hike. Whatever the “disconnect” is, be sure to make it a priority for refocusing the mind.
3. DECLARE
Third, and perhaps the most difficult, we can declare our mental drain and ask for help from others. We are commanded in Galatians to “bear ye one another’s burdens,” but if people do not know about them, they cannot help bear them. Asking for help can be difficult, to say the least. It is common to worry that being transparent with others will reveal our weaknesses or struggles. Also, there may be a concern about gossip being spread to others. Regardless, there must be people in our lives that we can confide in to talk through struggles and get help. One person cannot carry the mental load alone, so why do we try?
4. DISCERN
Finally, we need to be sure to discipline ourselves with a discerning thought life. You would probably agree that much of our mental drain is self-inflicted. As mentioned previously in the article, we are in a society of information overload. This choice is ours as to what we spend our time filling our minds with. There is only so much that we can take in without it being a detriment to our everyday ministry.
Not only does undisciplined thinking hinder our minds, but it also consumes our time that we should spend in other areas. We must be on guard to ensure that we do not spend our time and mental effort on wasteful things that have no value or impact for eternity. For our mind to be focused correctly and healthy, we must follow Philippians 4:8 and “think on these things.”
It seems like everything around us in life and society is designed to obsess our minds. Keep your mind clear and focused on Christ. We cannot allow sin into our minds and lives. It has been said that an idle mind is the devil’s playground. Do not give him an inch within your mind to control you or wear you down.
Do not be shaken in your mind in these last days. Perilous times are here, and more are coming, so do not be surprised. Our minds must be stayed on Jehovah. As much as we desire to keep our hearts right with God, we must keep our minds focused, healthy, and strengthened for the days ahead.