Self Care in the Middle of Sheep Care
I heard the story of a young shepherd who was left in charge of the rancher’s flock during ‘lambing’ season. This is the most critical and demanding part of the year in this industry. Being a conscientious and diligent young man, whose concern for the sheep and the quality of his own work was paramount, he worked and worried himself into a state of total collapse. Finally, unable to keep up with his duties, he fell into an exhausted stupor. As a result, what he was trying to prevent occurred: many of the ewes died during the birthing process and the lambs perished. The flock was decimated. His own lack of appreciation for self-care was disastrous for all concerned.
May I encourage you, Pastor, to understand and accept that self-care is not at all ‘selfish.’ Your effectiveness in caring for others will be in proportion to the degree you care for yourself.
During this harrying time, let me suggest a few important things to remember that are not at all selfish.
REST
You need spiritual rest (dedicated time in the refreshing presence of God), emotional rest (dedicated time to direct your mind away from the current crisis to engage in something completely different that restores emotional energy {reading, writing, jig saw puzzles, working on projects, family game time etc.}) and, physical rest(sleep). Improper sleep for three consecutive nights begins to take its toll on soul, spirit and body. We simply cannot continue to function effectively without adequate rest. We are at our best for others only when we are refreshed ourselves.
https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep-deprivation/effects-on-body#1
NOURISHMENT
Concentrated stress can trigger unhealthy eating habits. Some facing stress tend to ‘binge eat.’ Together with our forced sedentary lifestyle, as we deal with this pandemic, binge eating can cause us to gain weight at a rapid rate. Others, under stress gravitate towards junk foods that contain little nourishment for body and mind. This is a time that requires our ‘best’ thinking thoughts. Proper nourishment is a large part of remaining fresh and effective.
PRUDENCE
We are people of faith, confident in the goodness of our God. We do not fear (much), but neither do we tempt fate simply because we have faith. The man who claimed he would ‘spit in the face of Mount St. Helens and refused to evacuate lies hundreds of feet beneath the lava of the eruption when it came. In those circumstances where you feel it mandatory to be present to fulfill your call, claim the promises of God and take all the precautions that the Health Authority has recommended. Don’t feel it a dereliction of your calling not to be present. Where we foolishly disregard the wise counsel of the medical profession we tempt God: not unlike the Pentecostal snake handlers in the Southern States. Furthermore, we place others at risk.
https://williamshiggins.net/2017/06/20/the-difference-between-faith-and-presumption/
NORMALCY
As abnormal and unusual as this present situation is, we need to attempt to maintain as much normalcy as possible. We need to maintain our regular wake-up and bed-time routine. We need to get up, get dressed, get ready. Inactivity leads to despondency, despondency leads to despair. We cannot help others who are feeling desperate when we have abandoned our disciples and capitulated to a sense of helplessness.
https://www.blurtitout.org/2018/11/08/mental-health-benefits-routine/ (link no longer available)
EXERCISE
It is medically proven that walking stimulates the production of serotonin in the brain. Walking is Canada is a free exercise. I would recommend that, if your mobility allows, you look right and left up your street or lane, assure that there are not crowds of people, then set out in the fresh Spring air. If you live in a condo or apartment and do not have access to a safe walking environment, check this link from the BBC for a multitude of exercises you can do at home. Like ‘Nike’ states: “Just do it!”
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51933762.
RELATIONSHIPS
While we are ‘socially distancing,’ because of necessity, it is vital that we do not ‘relationally’ distance. (See my Facebook video on ‘Healthy Churches ABNWT,’ where I address this issue. We are social beings and we require relational activity to ensure our own emotional, even physical wellbeing. Years ago, my family fostered a three-year-old girl who could not walk or talk or feed herself. Her condition was not some congenital or acquired disease. She had been left alone without human interaction. Under our loving care she had attained to her normal age-related development in a couple of months. In this time of forced confinement, use your telephone, your Facebook, your Twitter, your Instagram, your What’s App etc. to stay in touch with others. It can not replace person-to-person contact, but it is one way to temper the loss. Remember that when you make these calls, you are ministering a blessing to others as well as protecting our own sanity.
https://www.newtimes.co.rw/section/read/98589
The Prophet Zechariah stated,
“Strike the Shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.”
Zechariah 13:7 NIV
Please Pastor, do all within your personal control to ward off the blows the enemy wishes to rain down on you. Take care of yourself. The refreshment, encouragement and help you are required to offer to others in this trying hour can only come from a rested, well-nourished, prudent, self-disciplined, fit and relational ‘You.’
I am here to chat and pray with you if it would be helpful to you. Together, with God’ help, we can do this.
Al is an experienced pastor and counselor who works out of our ABNWT District Resource Centre in Edmonton as the Pastoral Care Coordinator. A pastor to the pastors, Al is a friend, mentor, and confidante to all.