A time to reframe your life.

     For clergy and other helping professionals it is vital to have a healthy balance of taking care of others and all important self care.This self-care can often be filled with emotional land mines for many clergy in the form of guilt and a sense of neglect for the always endless needs of others. Much of this guilt is generated from an unrealistic expectation of always being on call for people at all times. Sometimes clergy can be their own worst enemy in that we often try to live out such an unhealthly expectation. We want to feel needed or we want to express a geniune concern for others, but soon we begin to feel traped by trying to be at the center of attention and  present  for every need. Even Jesus took time to get away from the growing crowds and their call for him to do something to prove his connection to God.
     If you are feeling pressure and stress because of days on the road , people needing your attention, and feeling like your to-do list will never end it may be time to reframe your life. What do I mean by reframing your life? Imagine a picture framed in a plain and simple frame. You walk by the picture each day and never seem to notice it or at least it doesn't impress you. But put a new frame around this picture, a frame which is larger and sparkles with gold paint and you can't help but notice and see the picture as if it were new. This can also happen when we reframe our lives and ministry with a larger purpose and new appreciation of God's love.Here are a few simple guidelines to help you reframe your life and ministry.

• Take time to write a list of the activities and events you enjoy and feel affirmed. Also list those things which make you feel frustrated and angry or feeling like giving up.
• When looking at the challenges in your life and ministry look for the hidden blessing or the opportunity for self enrichment and ridding yourself of feelings of guilt,anger, and resentment. 
• Reframe your challenges by looking at them from a different perspective, instead of feeling anger, see the event as something that will strengthen your character, improve your skills, and help you become a stronger and better person.
• The key to reframing it to "see a benefit for you" or a hidden gem of personal development which will pay off later. Perspective makes all the difference in changing your outlook and attitude. Learn to develop this simple skill and it will help you be less stressed and feel better about yourself and the ministry.