6 STRATEGIES TO STAY EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY:
Stay Connected to God – Worship Him, give Him thanks always (1Thes. 5:18). Thanking Him for past blessings and current situations opens you up to receive what He is doing and gives you hope for the future (Jere. 29:11). Gratitude to God changes you in various ways; it reminds you that you are dependent on God for everything, your life, your health, your ministry etc. Pray always (Phil. 4:6), study and meditate upon the Word (Psa. 119:11), deal with any unforgiveness (Eph. 4: 31-32).
Stay Connected to Yourself- Be in tune with your emotional self; observe your daily response or reactions to life. Be aware of what is going on inside of you in relation to your physical, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing. Identify any negative thought patterns you see in your regular thinking and challenge them. Dwell on those things that are true (Phil. 4:8). Don’t neglect your physical self -: eat healthy, keep fit, take regular exercise, rest and recreation, and go for routine medical check-ups. Remember, your body is the temple of the Almighty hence should be treated with care.
Stay Connected to Others- Ministry can be lonely. Building healthy supportive relationships with others including your spouse and children is crucial. In ministry you need important relationships to help you ‘ keep your head above water’. You need a shoulder to cry on; someone who is ‘there for you’; a ‘safe’ person to tell how you feel; someone who believes in you. Refer to chapter 8 of Trials of a Pastor’s Wife.
Stay Connected to Your Purpose – Remain focused on your purpose and vision in life. You have a calling upon your life, hence you cannot afford to waste your life ‘chasing shadows’ and ‘majoring on minors’. Learn new skills and widen your thinking and reading. You are transformed by renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:2) Remember you only live once! Maximise the moment!
Stay Connected to Your Service – When you serve God and others, your attention is turned from an inward focus on your own situation and problems to an outward focus on the need of others. Being able to make a difference to their situation can change how you see your own.
Stay Connected to Your Environment – Take charge of your environment. Don’t let your environment control you, rather gain mastery over your environment. Learn to modify your unique circumstances for the most emotional balance, which will lead to success and fulfilment. Mastery involves skills like time management, prioritising, delegation, and being resilient as you deal with stressful circumstances and setbacks.
In conclusion, taking a holistic view of your health is an essential aspect of good stewardship in ministry. Ensuring your emotions, physical wellbeing, relationships, even finances and spiritual life are in balance sets you free to be the fulfilled pastor’s wife that God has called you to be.
I would like to end this article with an extract from my book, The Trials of a Pastor’s Wife:
“Ministry can be rewarding, fulfilling, refining and satisfying. It is a privilege to be a pastor’s wife; an honour to be the first lady in the life of God’s servant. Enjoy your privileged position. The best is yet to come! Let it be said of you at the end of your faith journey that you obtained a good report from the Lord: “This is my beloved daughter in whom I am well pleased”.
Article By Pastor (Dr.) Grace Sola-Oludoyi
Christian Counsellor/Integrative Psychotherapist (MBBS, BA (Hons) Theology & Integrative Counselling, MBACP, MACC)
Regional Mother, RCCG Europe Mainland Region 3
Executive Pastor, RCCG Royal Connections, London
Recommended reading: THE TRIALS OF A PASTOR’S WIFE – Her Highs, Her Lows and Her In-Betweens
To purchase this Book call +44300 111 1111 or email [email protected]
