#5 – Find positive outlets to deal with stress.
In 20 years of full-time ministry, I have learned that if you don’t find positive ways to manage your stress, your stress will manage you.
Stress is an uncontrollable and inevitable part of this job. What we do with that stress is up to us. Far too often, we allow things that should never be part of our lives to creep in because of this stress. My advice?
Find something you love and do it. And don’t feel guilty! The healthier you are, the healthier your ministry will be. Whether through sports, a hobby, or spiritual practices, take the time to invest in yourself.
And if you find yourself coping with stress through negative habits, reach out and seek help. They will always, always lead to ruin.
The Bottom Line
Having days or weeks where you don’t like, or even hate, small group ministry is OK. It is a challenging calling, and sometimes it is just plain hard.
Remember these lessons and the many others you will learn along the way during those seasons. Ground yourself in the truth “...that all your labour is not for nothing when it is for God” (1 Cor. 15:58) and press on.
This article for those who hate small group ministry originally appeared here, and is used by permission.
