Pastoral Care Ministries

“But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I called to my God for help.”
– 2. Sam. 22:7

Our modern world is a stressed-up world, constantly trapped in high commitments and hard work. Oxford dictionary defines Stress as “A state of mental or emotional strain.” Actress Ramya said, “My profession demands a lot of commitment and hard work. I get stressed quite often… so tired of working every day and return home totally drained. The stress got me…but my biggest stress-buster is my dog.” (TOI 24 July08)
Stress has become synonyms with modern lifestyle. No one can deny its invasion into our lives. To bust the Stress one needs to identify the symptoms of Stress. Some of the following symptoms are sudden outburst of Anger, withdrawal from people, Irritation, Uncontrolled eating or lack of appetite, long or irregular sleeping patterns, loss of interest in work, solace in alcohol, or some vigorous activity…etc., to highlight some. When Stress is unattended it flows in two directions inward and outward. The inward flow (bottling up) of Stress produces Depression (anger turned inward) and the outward flow (uncontrolled) of Stress produces Aggression (anger turned outward).

Pastors, Evangelists, Missionaries, CEO’s of missions and Common believers all experience stress factures. Let me highlight some for our contemplation towards busting the Stress.

Pastoral ministry requires spiritual consistency to enable the Padre to be a spiritual guide to care for his parishioner’s spiritual and emotional needs. Though the Pastoral vocation puts the minister on a higher pedestal yet he is a human yearning for spiritual, physical and emotional needs. Personal interview with some Pastors revealed the following Stress points; Negatively are faced with Criticism from the members, over expectation and inadequate finances are some major stress factors. In most cases finance tops the list of stress especially in the third world countries. Most are under paid and many are independent but dependent on believer’s offerings and support. Established and structured churches function in political style often straining and restraining the Pastor’s spiritual ministry in the pulpit, among the people and even his pastoral commitments. Family responsibilities and if perhaps an unequally yoked partner then could become a crushing vice for the pastor.

Missionaries and Evangelists, they too fall into this Stress-itised facture. Yet there are few more points that can be highlighted such as under paid, pressure to produce results so that mission magazine could produce colourful reports. Separation from their children, inadequate encouragement and personal care from the leaders, no annual leave even if they have, there are no funds to spare. Incompatible life partner who may have been forced to be in the mission field, such situation have forced many to indulge in complacency, lack of spiritual exercise, secret sins to release their emotional burdens or lead fruitless totally overwhelmed life.

CEO’s too are prone to Stress. Most of the above-mentioned Stress factors can also be applied to CEO too. CEO’s shoulder higher and bigger responsibilities, he needs to raise funds, produce reports, pay salaries etc. There are few important points as mentioned by Charles Swindoll; “There is another side of stress that is easily overlooked, and that is trying to do too much myself.” The attitude of…“I am indispensable”, pride and stubbornness, and the “super efficiency” demanding others to be like them as if they are going to redeem the world is damaging as well increases the stress level. All of us have a limit. If those huge freight trucks on the highway have a load limit, then each one of us too have a load limit. When we try doing more than we were designed to do, our level of anxiety immediately begins to rise. This is common problem among strong natural leaders who assume too much responsibility rather than delegate the task to others who could help shoulder the load.”… “Say my friend, It is time declare it, you are not the Messiah of the twentieth century!” (Stress Fractures P25, & Growing strong in the season’s life P 192/3, Charles R. Swindoll)

Common Believer is also stressed in life as the demand for better living and financial burdens increase. All of us live in a competitive world. If one cannot balance life with the help of God then we sure are a sinking ship. Temptation and fall produce the after-effects of Eve, David, even like Peter’s denial. We need to grow above such trials with god’s help to be Stress free.

Friends, it is important to recognize I am just a human and let us be in state of constant communication (prayer) with our Lord and in right relation with fellowmen. Let there be godly influences in all that we plan or do. Let us commit our anxieties, inabilities and inadequacies into the hands of our Creator who has promised, “He will never leave us nor forsake us.” He cared for Elijah the prophet in his depression; He who fulfilled the request of Hannah the barren; Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead. Therefore let us be confident in Him who is able to be our Stress-buster!
Shall we rise above our human thinking and take on spiritual exercise into realm of reality and act like the true disciples of the 22nd century? May the Lord bless us all and continue to make us worthy to be His reflective servants.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord help me increase my dependency on you.
2. I recognize I am your hand made; I can do nothing apart from your help.
3. Help me to care and love others as I care and love my self
4. Help me to over come stress of every day life