Give Me A Break

In the midst of an ever-turbulent environment, where political upheavals

and societal pressures continuously mount, along with huge shifts in

lifestyle and ministry methods in the last several years, ministers can find

themselves in the midst of chaos, onslaughts and very difficult decisions.

Continual living in this setting can bring on self-doubt, and mental and

emotional fatigue. The relentless demands of our positions, coupled with

constant scrutiny, leave little room for relief. It is in this atmosphere that the

necessity for those of us who minister to take a step back and recharge

becomes undeniably clear. Ensuring we have the opportunity to rest is not

merely a luxury, but a vital requirement for maintaining effectiveness and

mental well-being amidst the ongoing tumult.

What happens when we come to the place where we need to take a break?

Not one that is imposed on us, but one we need. Just look at these

statistics…

• 33% of ministers considered quitting the ministry in 2023.

• 60% doubt their calling.

• 25% had doubted their faith.

• 18% considered doing harm to themselves.

Fatigue is more than just tiredness. it can make it hard to get out of bed in

the morning and prevent a person from fulfilling their daily tasks. It can be

described as the lack of energy and motivation. It can even bring on a state

or attitude of indifference or apathy

Here are some causes of fatigue:

• Stress

• Worry, anxiety

• Change in physical activity

• Change in social relations

• Bereavement and grief

• Change in eating habits

• Boredom

• Emotional exhaustion or burnout

• Overexposure to negative reports

• Fear of the future

• Life events

Surely, we can agree that recent years have provided us with the climate to

increase every one of these causes. Imagine the fatigue that can result

from the onslaught of these assaults on lives for an extended period of

time.

Here are some questions you could ask yourself to gauge your need for rest…

1. Am I still committed to my call?

2. Am I experiencing ministry fatigue?

3. Am I conflicted about my vision?

4. Am I isolated from others?

5. Am I optimistic about the future?

We need a break, we need a rest, I’m not talking about sleep but rest – rest

while you are awake. There is a rest that you need to have and live in every

day, because, your circumstance may not change. We do not know how

long this present environment will last, but one thing I do know is that Jesus

said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on

earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have

overcome the world.” John 16:33. Therefore, we can learn to live in them

free from the fatigue that they can cause.

In Exodus 33:14, God says, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give

you rest.”

The Hebrew word for “I will give rest” in the verse is one word, ‘nuah’. It’s

where the name Noah comes from. It also can mean cease. Noah’s

parents named him because they said that God would bring them rest from

the dry and fruitless ground they had been experiencing from the curse

(Genesis 5:29). In other words, there will be rest from the pain and

suffering that has been; that the pain and suffering will cease.

And in Matt. 11:28-30 we read, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are

heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn

from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your

souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Wow, rest for my soul, that sounds wonderful doesn’t it? He doesn’t take

rest from us – He gives it!

It seems to me that in both of these passages rest is tied to God’s

presence. That in coming to Him and keeping our focus on His daily

presence in our lives we will find rest for our weary souls. He calls us to

constant communion with Him; recognizing that He never leaves us or

forsakes us.

I love the way The Passion translation renders Philippians 4:6-9.

It says, “Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be

saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests

before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then

God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make

the answers known to you through Jesus Christ. So, keep your thoughts

continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable,

beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your

thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising Him always…and the God

of peace will be with you in all things.”

I remember a time when we were on a family vacation at a theme park and

my son Josiah was five years old. We were in a section where Josiah got

distracted by some of the activity that was happening and he lost sight of

me for a second. Now, I hadn’t moved, I was standing right next to him. But

I’ll never forget the panic that came over that little boy’s face when he didn’t

see his mama. But it was immediately replaced by such peace when he

realized I was there all the time. You see, when he was distracted and got

his thoughts on his surroundings he lost sight of the fact that I was always

with him. When this passage says that the God of peace “will be” with you,

it means the same thing. It’s not that God leaves, and then comes back

when our thoughts are on Him; it means that you will experience the reality

of His presence with you always, when you keep your mind on Him. He

really keeps you in peace when your thoughts are on Him; when your mind

is focused on His presence with you and not on the circumstances around

you, not on the negative press, not on the what if’s, not on the present

difficulties of life. It means that you are trusting Him in all things. Trusting

Him to lead you and guide you in how to navigate your life, how to take

care of yourself, when to call or FaceTime a friend, when to turn off the

news. Know that you are not called to fix or do or worry about everything

but to cast your cares on Him and take on His yoke. I want to give you

permission to Take a Break, To just Breath and To really Be; to be you in

His presence and to trust Him with your life. Trusting in God brings freedom

from worry and gives peace. When you have peace, you have rest.