tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655521.post114374673059932332..comments2024-02-23T17:09:12.957-05:00Comments on bethquick.com: Confession - StressBeth Quickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14171030571583683180noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655521.post-1144579958842070162006-04-09T05:52:00.000-05:002006-04-09T05:52:00.000-05:00The idea of the sabbath might help. Doesn't it see...The idea of the sabbath might help. Doesn't it seem obvious to take a sabbath every seven days, obvious and even biblical? <BR/>When we work too much, everyday, we begin to think we are indispensable and that we are the reason for ministry. I think exhaustion, because of doing too much, becomes a symptom that we do not trust God enough. Stress is the result of not enough trust in God and an example of our own urge to power.<BR/>I've thought about this a great deal over the years. What does it say about me if I crumple over a comment or criticism rather than looking beyond these things to the real reason for ministry?<BR/>Maybe you could work on this bit by bit. No one finds it easy.<BR/>Blessings to you.St. Casserolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14046979001194772038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655521.post-1144286588241719372006-04-05T20:23:00.000-05:002006-04-05T20:23:00.000-05:00Sometimes I think that stress is the main thing th...Sometimes I think that stress is the main thing that keeps me getting out of bed every morning. [rueful smile] So I am not an expert in dealing with stress, other than to note that I have found it necessary to spend at least an hour every day doing something I enjoy, that has nothing to do with work or church stuff or home responsibilities.LutheranChikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02685566332651377907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655521.post-1144078758847004292006-04-03T10:39:00.000-05:002006-04-03T10:39:00.000-05:00I second the one-day-a-week thing. I too make mys...I second the one-day-a-week thing. I too make myself sick by allowing myself to get stressed, by little and big things both in and out of my sphere of influence. I "self-soothe" (as my therapist used to call it) by reading novels, watching Buffy, playing with the cat, going for a walk, sitting in Starbucks with a book and one latte for several hours, and napping. I suggest finding a few things you enjoy--and that don't remind you of work--and taking one hour every day to do them, and one day each week to do nothing but those things. It has worked wonders for me over the past few years (in seminary and now as a missionary). <BR/><BR/>God be with you...Terihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10838436991138846332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655521.post-1143858451259275662006-03-31T21:27:00.000-05:002006-03-31T21:27:00.000-05:00Beth -After reading your blog for four months, I'v...Beth -<BR/><BR/>After reading your blog for four months, I've no doubt that with your busy life you feel stress.<BR/><BR/>Let this old parson give you some advice. TAKE ONE DAY A WEEK FOR YOURSELF. And I mean take it for yourself. Don't clean the house; don't take care of family things; take the day for yourself. Currently, I take every Monday to go hiking by myself in the mountains. Only an emergency prohibits this, and I DEFINE EMERGENCY.<BR/><BR/>Tell your SPPR you're doing this. If you're doing something for yourself at home don't answer the phone until you've heard the caller leaving the message and know it's not "business."<BR/><BR/>Sit down and define what a REAL emergency needing your immediate attention is, and outside of that grab 24 hours for Beth.<BR/><BR/>Now the confession. It wasn't until I retired and then was asked to supply a church I started doing this. If I'd have done it earlier I wouldn't be this old.<BR/><BR/>Grace and peace, preacher!Questing Parsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08944757278009104092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655521.post-1143825714341632992006-03-31T12:21:00.000-05:002006-03-31T12:21:00.000-05:00Hi Beth, Firstly thanks for sharing that with us. ...Hi Beth, <BR/><BR/>Firstly thanks for sharing that with us. I can empathise with much of what you have written. I share similar insecurities as 'though everything that goes wrong or doesn't get done is my fault. people normally don't mean to imply such but like you I have learnt that being a minister involves vulnerability.<BR/><BR/>I am a depressive. I rarely get through the night without moments of panic. In my case it goes back about 16 years. I wish it would go away and Yes Jesus' words add to my discomfort. The one plus is that I am able to empathise with people who have self esteem/depressive problems in a positive way that would have been beyond me of I didn't have these valley experiences.<BR/><BR/>Re issues such as global warming, these are truly mega. I share your activist inclinations and beleive we have to raise these matters in the church and beyond that in wider society. BUT Beth Quick cannot put all the world's wrongs right. Beth Quick is simply called to be faithful. And frankly I see you being faithful in all that I find on this site. You are making a contribution - son't forget it!<BR/><BR/>Finally, John shows great pastoral insight with his comments. I'd love him as my District Chair one day! I don't know if you get Father Ted in US but I was told by a former District Chair that I would end up like the demented Father Jack although I think Victor Meldrew is my more likely destination.<BR/><BR/>If any of last paragraph was not understood then it really is true that the Atlantic is like a Berlin Wall of comedy.<BR/><BR/>All the best,<BR/><BR/>PaulRev Paul Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05294221174324852637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6655521.post-1143818369005895632006-03-31T10:19:00.000-05:002006-03-31T10:19:00.000-05:00The best way to handle stress is to swallow hard a...The best way to handle stress is to swallow hard and bottle it up for years until you're 55 and a parishoner complains about the type of paper that the bulletins are printed on and you snap and go on a multi-state shooting spree, all while chased by police and the ATF.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04854543617806427302noreply@blogger.com