Church and Faith Difficulties
Your brothers and sisters in the Lord mean well. But…
When you were prescribed medication for your depression, you may have worried that they would find out. Did you hide your pills, thinking that if they knew, they just wouldn’t understand? Maybe you anticipated their reactions…
“You have to have more faith in the Lord.”
“I think you should pray more about the anxiety you are dealing with.”
“Fasting will help you overcome your depression.”
“Your mental illness is nothing more than a demonic spirit.”
Spiritual Burnout
“How could I have allowed this to happen to me as a believer in the Lord, Jesus Christ?”
It is a big risk factor for people who have a calling to care for others. It’s something that happens all too frequently due to never-ending ministry stress and the need continually to give out at one’s own spiritual, emotional, and physical expense. Its consequences can be devastating for ministers, families, and churches alike.
It can cause loss of purpose in life and even destroy one’s self-image. When the pressure to hold it all together becomes too much, you can feel alone in the world. Filled with resentment and bitterness – just overwhelming hopelessness.
Stress does not have to lead to burnout if one is aware and takes steps to set sensible boundaries.
Even with faith and community, it’s possible to feel very alone.
You might think that your mental illness should be gone by now.
You believe that as a believer, burnout shouldn’t happen to you because you should know how to take care of yourself in every aspect of your life.
Or you might think that God is disappointed in you for not having enough faith or trust in him. You are thinking… “I read the word of God daily, meditate on the word of God, am involved in ministry. I shouldn’t have allowed this to happen to me! I should know better!”
Burnout is a serious condition. It is destructive, wasteful, and has no respecter for persons. However, this destructive force can be stopped and avoided.
At Encouraged Counseling Services, we will help you overcome the effects of burnout and prevent it from taking place at all.
Don’t let your wounds disconnect you…
… from fellowship with other believers in your church. Remember, many of them do not have the training or experience to help, so they’re probably doing and saying what they feel is best for you.
Don’t allow spiritual burnout to paralyze you and keep you from what you love to do…
We can help. Together, we will address the wounds you have experienced and develop a plan to deal with your mental health difficulties
Please, don’t let your hurts destroy your faith in God. Instead, contact Encouraged Counseling Services to set up a consultation: (312) 600-7364.