EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH
God's path includes self-care

By Harvey C. W. Ching

When I run through my day (at least that's the speed I feel I'm going), I find myself running out of steam. When that happens, I begin to wonder: How will I get done all that I had planned?

As a pastor, I have to face various misconceptions of the work I do. My mother is my prime antagonist in this matter. She'll say, "Don't you work just one day a week?"

I suspect she's just joking, but she says this with such a straight face.

I do have quite a bit to do during the week, including home-schooling my 16-year-old son. There are interruptions that come about through various needs in the church and the family. There are also scheduled and unexpected counseling sessions, all the preparation I must do for church services and, at times, classes to teach at International College & Graduate School.

I do begin to feel drained after a while. My day, although flexible, can still be very long. Work is spaced out over a longer period of time, and I'm on call 24 hours a day. How does a person keep up the pace of life indefinitely without something giving out?

I suspect that some of our health problems are from pushing ourselves too hard, or depleting our energy stores and not having time to restore them.

This kind of lifestyle can become frustrating. When I'm emotionally tired, I find myself becoming short with others.

What I read in the Scriptures is that Jesus himself became tired, so much so that he even slept through a storm on the Sea of Galilee while in a fishing boat!

So, even in doing the will of God completely, a person can become tired.

What is the solution? First, I believe that finding strength in God is of first importance. Paul writes: "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). God has desired to renew those who draw close to him with strength. Isaiah writes: "He gives strength to the weary and to him who lacks might, He increases power." Isaiah goes on to explain that "those who wait upon the Lord will gain new strength" (Is. 40:29, 31). "To wait" can imply the idea of wrapping oneself around a strong core. We wrap ourselves around God and we become stronger.

The second thing is that we need to rest, sleep, and not push ourselves beyond what our bodies can take.

Solomon writes: "It is vain to rise up early and retire late, to eat the bread of painful labors, for He gives to His beloved even in his sleep" (Ps. 127:2).

God provides for his children even when they sleep. So, get a good night of sleep and wake up refreshed.

Harvey Ching is pastor of Kane'ohe Congregational Church and an adjunct professor at International College and Graduate School. Expressions of Faith welcomes written works by pastors, priests, lay workers and other leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035. Articles submitted to The Advertiser may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.