Musings from H.B.London, Jr.
Abstracted from The Heart of a Great Pastor
Sometimes I think I get compassion fatigue. Do you? It usually occurs when you come to the place where there is so much to take care about that you can't care anymore.
As clergy, we deal with heartbreak all the time - so much so that we must guard against growing calloused or cynical. We can't lose our empathy or take for granted other people's suffering. Our hearts must remain sensitive - even though sometimes we just want to stick our fingers into our ears and say, "No more!"
How do we do this? For one thing, we should pray for a heart like Jesus. For another, we should never come to a place in our ministry in which we can walk away from suffering without letting people know of God's love. Wemust attempt to be an answer to our prayers and do what we can to help. We cannot do what we do for others out of selfish motives, but as unto the Lord. We also should place a high priority on getting enough rest and spiritual food, or we will wear down very quickly. We are reminded to "cast all your anxiety [care] on him because he cares for you" (1 Pet. 5:7).
There are times when I feel helpless, but then I remember it is not about me but those for whom our Lord called me to serve - to be His compassion in a world that hungers for solutions. And when I remember this, I again feel His power to do whatever I need to do.
Stay Strong, my colleagues!
Abstracted from The Heart of a Great Pastor
Sometimes I think I get compassion fatigue. Do you? It usually occurs when you come to the place where there is so much to take care about that you can't care anymore.
As clergy, we deal with heartbreak all the time - so much so that we must guard against growing calloused or cynical. We can't lose our empathy or take for granted other people's suffering. Our hearts must remain sensitive - even though sometimes we just want to stick our fingers into our ears and say, "No more!"
How do we do this? For one thing, we should pray for a heart like Jesus. For another, we should never come to a place in our ministry in which we can walk away from suffering without letting people know of God's love. Wemust attempt to be an answer to our prayers and do what we can to help. We cannot do what we do for others out of selfish motives, but as unto the Lord. We also should place a high priority on getting enough rest and spiritual food, or we will wear down very quickly. We are reminded to "cast all your anxiety [care] on him because he cares for you" (1 Pet. 5:7).
There are times when I feel helpless, but then I remember it is not about me but those for whom our Lord called me to serve - to be His compassion in a world that hungers for solutions. And when I remember this, I again feel His power to do whatever I need to do.
Stay Strong, my colleagues!
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