If you are planning on lasting long, learn to separate your professional and ministerial life from your personal life.

If you do not you will be left hurt, depressed, in pain and worn out. Always remember this, APART FROM GOD, YOU COME FIRST.

Before you can reach out or take care of another you must first take care of yourself. If you do not take care of yourself first, you will be depleted and very soon you will not be able to reach out to another.

Be intentional and unapologetic for choosing to take care of yourself first. Whether it be emotionally, psychologically, mentally, physically, financially, remember your health matters.

Yes, are there times when you realize you may have to make sacrifices but remember that is also a personal choice. If you do not take the time to take care of yourself you will be ineffective and very soon useless.

Understand that before you can effectively and successfully operate in any other area or sphere of influence you must first be able to be to master your personal life (whether family, home, children, husband/ wife etc.).

Throughout my years of college, one of the things we were constantly reminded of as Social Workers is to invest in our health, maintain and protect our peace and our personal space.

The Helping profession can be very draining especially for those who counsel and have to relate to others on a psychological level.

A lot can be taken out of you when you are constantly going and internalizing the pain and hurt of others.

Learn the importance of resting and taking breaks. This can be short term and also long term.

Those who are called to lead and work in ministry. This is no different for you. Whether you be an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher, minister, bishop it is important that you establish healthy boundaries.

Warfare and the hurt and pain you experience in ministry can be horrible. Leaders in ministry have a tendency to look after everybody except themselves and family.

Leaders, take the time to invest and take care of yourself and family. Understand your first ministry is your FAMILY. Your family comes first.

It was Apostle Paul who said in 1 Timothy 3:5 that before a man can take care of the church, he must first be able to take care of his home.

Ensure that as much as you pour out into others you are being poured into. Recently there was a news report that went viral of a pastor who committed suicide and left his wife and children behind.

It is said that he had a lot dealing with but few really knew about it. How sad!

You see the pressures of life can be grueling. Apart from your personal relationship with God and your prayer time, if your situation becomes too unbearable and you cannot cope alone you can find an intercessor to help to pray you through, a pastor, a trusted family member or friend.

Nothing is wrong with admitting you need help. We were not created to get by alone.

Those who are counselors will recognize that counselors do need counselors, psychologists do need psychologists, pastors do need pastors etcetera.

You must personally establish healthy boundaries and standards between the three which will help you to operate and perform effectively on all levels.

Know yourself. Understand what works for you and what does not. Do not compare yourself to others because we all operate on different levels.

Know what you can or cannot tolerate or take on, know what you can or cannot deal with.

Know when to stop and when to say NO. This is especially for Christians who feel guilty or think it is a bad thing to say no.

You know I was once told “If you cannot say NO your YES has no meaning.” Learn to say NO and mean it too.

An overlap of the three areas (ministry, work and personal life) can lead to disrespect/ dishonor, unhealthy pressure, fatigue, stress and if left unattended can lead to depression.

For those with unhealthy work ethics who work constantly and enjoy taking their work home, this is not good for you nor is it good for your family.

When you take your work home, you sometimes unintentionally overwork yourself which can affect you and may lead to serious problems in your marriage and with your children.

To avoid taking your work home, you can work faster but pace yourself at a level that will also be efficient.

Ensure your personal life is in good shape and you are up to beat. Work hard as much as you enjoy life.

There is a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment you get from working but there is also a level of wholeness you experience when you invest in you and your health.

God’s desire for you is to be whole not only in spirit, but in every area of your life.

 

~ Shelly-Ann Powell

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Shelly-Ann Powell is a woman after God’s heart, founder and director of the Impact Nations For Christ organization whose mission is to empower, strengthen and point humanity to the Savior Jesus Christ.

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