Have you ever been in a place where you were energized and exhausted at the same time? I have been living in that place over the last 19 months - I call it "energhausted." Let's recap - COVID 2020 & 2021. Enough said. Our church has been moving and grooving with ministry, growth, and opportunity. Yes, even during a pandemic, we refused to allow a pandemic to stop our purpose! But that has caused me to live ENERGHAUSTED at times.
What do you do when you feel energhausted?
Determine if you are more energized or exhausted. That's the first thing you have to do. If you find yourself frustrated more than enjoying ministry you are not energhausted - you are exhausted. Take a breather!
Figure out why you are exhausted. Are you giving out of your overflow or your reserves? You see, the energhausted are giving out of their overflow, not their reserves. Huge difference.
Fill your tank. Do what gives you pleasure. Find a hobby. Play golf. Read a book. Take a vacation. Do something that brings you closer to God, but also gives you some much needed "You Time."
Don't beat yourself up. Every single leader goes through dry seasons, but does not make you second to anybody. Social media has a way of making you think their life is perfect, but its not.
Never believe someone's own resume.
Yes, the last 19 months has been exhausting, but it has also been energizing. I have seen God's hand on my life, family, and ministry. So, it has absolutely been energizing, but at the same time it is exhausting. Yep, I guess you could say it's energhausting.
"They that wait on the Lord will renew their strength" (Is 40.31).
That's the prayer of the energhausted! "They that wait on the Lord." That is one of the keys. But we all need to establish BOUNDARIES too. It is okay to say, "No," or "Not today," or "Not yet." Every single person on the planet will ask from you more than you have the capacity to give. But you must respond to protect your life.
What boundaries do you need to establish so you don't move from energhausted to eliminated?
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