Luke's record of the first commandment (Luke 10:27) identifies four dimensions of a person: emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental. Each of these is supported by one's day-to-day self care. Four areas of self care that are often most prone to neglect are exercise, nutrition, rest, and recreation. A healthy balance occurs where no one dimension experiences either excess attention or deprivation. It may be that the emotional self is not being fed, or the physical self needs exercise. Because the four dimensions or selves are interrelated and influence each other, a person is healthiest when there is an appropriate balance among them. Being healthy and well balanced emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally is integral to one's lifelong process of personal transformation. This balance is the foundation for the concept of "wellness".
Wellness is the result of an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Wellness is more than being free from illness; it is a dynamic process of change, growth and balance.
"...a state of complete physical, mental, and
social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
- The World Health Organization
"a conscious, self-directed and evolving process
of achieving full potential."
- The National Wellness Institute
Maintaining an optimal level of wellness is absolutely crucial to living a higher quality physical and spiritual life. Wellness matters because everything we do and every emotion we feel relates to our well-being. In turn, our well-being directly affects our actions and emotions, and it plays a vital part in optimizing our spiritual well-being. It's an ongoing circle. Therefore, it is important for everyone to strive for optimal wellness in order to subdue stress, reduce the risk of illness, ensure positive interactions with others, and most importantly be open to the process of growing spiritually.
Why This Is a Vital Topic
If you don't care for yourself physically, emotionally, and
spiritually, then eventually there will not be enough of you left
to care for anyone else.
The call to love God with heart, soul, strength, and mind presupposes that God loves the heart, soul, strength, and mind of each one of us. Not only are we called to express our love with each "self," but we are to care and tend each "self" for Him, and avoid abuse or misuse.
God's temple (Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? I Cor. 6:19) has been studied by doctors and scientists for centuries. Much is known about its need for exercise, nutrition, rest, and recreation. Similarly, a lot has become known, especially in the last few decades, about the emotional and mental dimensions. The spiritually maturing person will proactively care for these dimensions or selves.
Care of the spiritual self in day-to-day life often becomes
relegated to keeping the "surface level" traditions and
commandments of our religion. However, knowing Bible facts, following
commandments, and being a church member does not necessarily result
in spiritual growth and development. It is only when a person's
spirit is in the presence of God's Spirit that it is effectively
nurtured.
Four ways of coming into God's presence are:
1. Spiritual reading of the Bible; that is, letting the Scripture
disclose God to the reader.
This is sometimes referred to as lectio divina.
2. Meditating so that the read Word is assimilated by the spiritual
self. It has been said
God comes to those who have time to hear Him.
3. Providing solitude so the "gentle quiet whisper" can
be heard.
Silent retreats have become popular venues for seeking such times
of solitude.
4. Seeking ways to recognize and serve the needy to whom God calls
us to serve.
It has also been said that if one looks hard enough one can see
Jesus almost anywhere.
So, in the final analysis, the spiritually maturing person will pursue balanced care in each area of his or her life: heart, soul, strength, and mind. In doing so God's power and presence will be unleashed to serve those to whom one is called.
I tell you the truth, when you did it to one
of the least of these my brothers
and sisters, you were doing it to me! (Mt. 25.40)
Why This Is a Vital Topic
If you don't care for yourself physically, emotionally, and
spiritually, then eventually there will not be enough of you left
to care for anyone else.
Underpinning Concepts
1. Spiritual hygiene is important.
2. Clearing the clutter of an over stimulated life is an ongoing
exercise.
3. Care giving is a way of life that begins with caring for the
caregiver!
4. Caregiving to others is fueled by the care we give to and receive
ourselves.
5. We can comfort others no more than we have been comforted ourselves
(II Cor. 1:3-4)
6. One cannot give what one does not have. "I want everything
I come in contact with to be affected by the presence of God in
my life" (Alice Potts).
7. It is impossible to experience the presence of God in a life
that is too busy to pray.
Stress
Stress is defined as the flexing of emotional, physical, or spiritual
resources. Some degree of stress is necessary for motivation and
stimulation; however, when stress is constant and unresolved, resources
are depleted.
Stress causes a loss of centeredness that undermines our sense of joy and effectiveness.
Burnout
Burnout is a state of fatigue or frustration brought about by devotion
to a cause, a way of life, or relationship that failed to meet one's
expectations. In burnout, one's resources are utterly depleted;
there is no energy to meet the demands, and the caregiver is no
longer able to perform his or her intended purpose.
Compassion Fatigue
Compassion fatigue is a unique form of burnout that affects
people in caregiving professions when they become overly involved
with the people they are serving. But when compassion fatigue leaves,
the joy of caring returns!
Menu of Misconceptions (formulas for Burnout):
- I will "fix" the problem…make everything O.K., save the world…
- I am responsible for outcomes.
- If I care enough, everything will be O.K.
- The sufferer/patient will appreciate everything I do for them.
- I will have enough resources (time, money, material, skills, and training) to fix things.
- Significant people in my life will support and approve my absence from our relationship while I invest in this compassionate mission.
- I know what I'm getting into.
- I can do it alone.
- If I'm spiritual enough, I can deal with the stress of working with suffering people.
The Truth Is:
- You're responsible for your ministry; God is responsible for the outcomes.
- You're not God.
- The need will always be greater than the resources.
- Use care in how you measure success.
- Value small victories.
- Who you are is as important to the mission as what you do.
- Their pain is not your pain.
- Don't take them home with you.
- Remember to care for your spirit, emotions, and body so that
there will be something
left to give.
Acknowledgment: This information is largely adapted
from the weekend workshop, "Ministry In Times of Illness and
Loss - Part 1" as taught by Lifeline Chaplaincy, www.lifelinechaplaincy.org.