Introduction:

“If God, Gospel, and church are so wondrous, why is it that many involved in ministry today are feeling fatigued and empty? On one level, the answer may be all too obvious, albeit unsettling, to admit: Genuine caring and commitment necessarily result in periods— sometimes prolonged periods—of emotional stress and strain. Whether one is a member of the clergy, a nurse, a doctor, a teacher, a social worker, or even an adult child caring for an ill or aging parent at home, feeling drained and depressed from time to time goes with the territory. Such is the real cost of really caring.” – Rest in the Storm, by Kirk Byron Jones

Point of Consideration:

“On most flights, persons traveling with children are given an additional directive: ‘Place the mask on yourself first, then place the mask over the child’s face.’ The reasoning is readily understandable: The well-being of the child is dependent on the well-being of the child’s caregiver.” If we don’t take of ourselves first, how can we expect to take care of others?