Don’t burn out (1)

‘I give thanks to Christ Jesus … who has strengthened me, … appointing me to the ministry.’ 1 Timothy 1:12 CSB

Did you know that people in the medical profession can be more prone to problems with addiction? A major contributing factor is they only hear and see the troubles and negative side of people’s lives. So, in order to stay effective, you must learn to do these:

1) Cultivate new disciplines. Shut the door, let your phone calls go to voicemail, and relax. Above all don’t be surprised when troubles come. Jesus said they would (see John 16:33). 2) Take time off regularly. And on your days off, do something different. Remember, your Creator never intended you to put in more hours than He did! English preacher Charles Spurgeon said, ‘Repose is as needful to the mind as sleep to the body … If we do not rest, we shall break down.’ Jesus said, ‘… come … to a deserted place and rest a while’ (Mark 6:31 NKJV) because people who don’t rest, end up burning out! 3) Exercise and get enough sleep. Walk, swim, and breathe deeply. It’s good for you! Psychologist Dr Arch Hart says, ‘Adrenal arousal reduces our need for sleep—but this is a trap; we ultimately pay the penalty. Most adults need 8-9 hours a night.’ 4) Learn to relax. The relaxation response is the reverse of the fight-or-flight response. The Bible says, ‘… a faithful ambassador is health’ (Proverbs 13:17 KJV), and as little as twenty minutes a day without the tyranny of ‘things present, and things to come’ (see Romans 8:38) can counteract the damaging effect of stress.