"Feeling quite depleted today."
That was the text from a friend going through intense treatments for his recurring cancer.
But it is a common message and not reserved for those with cancer.
The pressure on people, especially in leadership and ministry, as they adjust to the greatest changes in our lifetimes, cope with emotional upheaval and the turmoil of complicated needs of themselves and others, is overwhelming. Most have a sense of being depleted.
Care Pastors tell me they are depleted. Some have three to four funerals a week while they faithfully minister with care for people in need.
It is amazing to think that we were made for "such a time as this. Now, when the needs are great, it is our time to care for people, being strong for them, our churches and our communities.
Since we cannot give what we don't have, we need to increase our capacity to care for others and minister out of the overflow of our "inner life."
Peter Scazzero offers a free tool to us that helps us practice adequate self care with the Spiritual component that fills us to overflowing. He calls it a "Rule of LIfe." Click HERE to find a workbook for creating your "Rule of Life" and a series of videos to train your team.
The practice goes back to ancient monastic practices that coined the title "Rule of Life." But, rule did not mean the legalistic way we might interpret "rule." Instead, it comes from the Greek word meaning "trellis" such as those designed to help grapevines become more fruitful and productive and grow upward.
When you go to the Emotionally Healthy website, you will find a video series that is free that you can use to train your staff. "Gain Access" by entering your name and email address. Then go to the Rule of LIfe section and you will be able to print the work book.
Completing it will take some time but it will become a "trellis" for the rest of your life to help you be more fruitful and grow upward.
We must find a way to expand our capacity to care for people and fill our souls so they benefit from the overflow of our lives. Maybe this tool will work for you.
Recognizing our depleted feeling can be the first step toward the construction of a personal "trellis."
After we build our "trellises", we can help others and build a culture that effectively cares for one another.
What you do matters!
Your life matters,
Chaplain Dan
Rev. Daniel R. Hettinger
303.905.0478
