Anxiousness, worry, stress—these are things we are not supposed to have, right?
Because…
- There are more than 365 verses in the Bible that say, “fear not.” (Maybe one for every day of the year?)
- Studies show that 80 percent of what we worry about never happens [1]
- Paul, in Philippians 4, clearly says, “Be anxious about nothing.”
So, is it sinful to be stressed? Is anxiety a sign of weakness?
The truth is, ministry is demanding, exhausting, and often times overwhelming. Many of us live in situations where persecution, physical danger, and travel fatigue are a way of life (amongst many other things). They can drain us emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Not to mention that, in our work, we are constantly battling against an enemy that wants to tear us up and break us down.
If you are facing stress in your work you are not alone. In fact, it is probably to be expected. Actually a recent study showed that 70 percent of pastors (I would include ministry leaders in here, as well) are stressed and exhausted and regularly consider leaving the ministry.[2] That’s crazy! That’s almost 3 out of every 4 pastors or leaders!
It’s not only modern-day ministry leaders who feel stressed. Elijah ended up curled up under a broom tree exhausted and overwhelmed. (1 Kings 19:4-7) Our bodies are frail and susceptible to weakness. The stress we face in caring for others, training crowds of leaders, managing personalities and responsibilities, and traveling from place to place is often more than we can handle. As Dr. Archibald Hart states in his book The Anxiety Cure, “Humans were designed for camel travel, but most people are now acting like supersonic jets!”[1] So what do you do when you feel like Elijah? Here are five things to consider:
- Slow down and evaluate yourself
Pause and do some inventory of your life. What is causing your increased stress? Are you able to move and function with everyday responsibilities? How is your stress manifesting itself? (Headaches, stomachaches, fatigue, anger, low self-esteem, fear, insomnia, hopelessness, eating problems, irritability) Do an inventory of your symptoms and, if possible, begin to make a plan for treatment.
- Realize that no one is immune from stress
Elijah wasn’t alone. Throughout the Bible we see people who were wrestling with anxiety and stress. David was burdened and overwhelmed in Psalm 38:4. Job was overwhelmed and stressed in Job 3:11 and 3:26. Jeremiah wrestled with loneliness and anxiety in Jeremiah 20:14,18. Even Jesus was anguished and stressed about what lay before Him (Mark 14:34-36). So great was His stress that the Bible says He sweat “drops of blood” (Luke 22:44).[3] If you are stressed, it doesn’t mean you are weak and unworthy, it simply means you are human. We all face it at times in our life and ministry.
- Realize that God is always with you
Psalms 73:28 says, “But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge”. Psalms 145:18 reaffirms that closeness by saying, “The LORD is near to all who call upon Him.” In our stress and anxiety, we are not alone. God is aware, understanding, and with us.
- Find the help you need
Sometimes God’s answer to our stress is a physical one. For Elijah it was a nap, a jug of water, and a donut (At least, I like to think it was a donut because they always make me feel better). Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that learning to steward our physical bodies in a healthy way is vital. On some occasions, a time of rest and retreat is the best thing we can do.
Sometimes the answer may come through friends, family, or your church body. Have you ever just needed to vent or talk through your situation? The body of Christ is meant to strengthen us when we’re weak, help us in times of need, support us during difficulties, and celebrate God’s faithfulness with us. Seeking community when we are stressed is actually a biblical suggestion (Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Corinthians 12:25-27). Ask for prayer, encouragement, and conversation; pick up the phone, write an email, send a Whatsapp text… It might be just what you need.
Other times the answer requires something much deeper, like a professional counselor or pastoral counseling. Anxiety and stress are real threats to our ministry. Don’t feel ashamed or afraid to seek professional help or psychiatrist to help you manage your anxiety.
- Turn to Jesus
The biblical methods for managing stress are not novel or groundbreaking; instead they are steadfast tools that help us re-center our hearts and minds on the Lord.
- Worship – God is always worthy of our praise.
- Pray – If you are finding prayer hard, pray through scripture
- Read scripture – Meditate on His truth. God’s word repeatedly reminds us that worry and anxiety do not come from God.
- Memorize scripture – pick words that dig deep into your heart and stay there.
A Way Out
If you find yourself overwhelmed with stress, don’t let the enemy break you down with lies. Your stress and anxiety does not make you a failure. It does not make you unworthy of God. It does not make you undeserving of love. It does not make you hopeless and unable to change. Yes, you probably need to make some changes, but above all the truth is that God is present and near. He will not forsake you, and there is a way out through Jesus.
Each of us face varying degrees of stress. Whether you are there now or will be in the future, reach out and let someone support you along the way. I am always happy to connect, pray, and listen. To God be the glory as we learn to lean on Him in times of stress as well as celebration.
Growth Point:
Stress in ministry is common and does not equal failure, but it does take intentionality to evaluate it and to seek proper help to overcome.
Scripture Point:
Read Isaiah 41:10. What does it mean for you that God will uphold you?
Action Point:
Part of dealing with stress is also creating healthy patterns in life. Take 30 minutes this week to evaluate your life patterns. Are there areas of your life that need to be adjusted in order to re-prioritize or manage your stress? Commit to making those changes.
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