I recently received a text from a friend who had suffered a mild stroke. He shared that he was okay and there were no long-term effects, but the experience was a wake-up call for him. He added that he had made lifestyle changes and was learning to embrace his limitations.
Mark Dance, executive director for the Arkansas Baptist Convention, wrote on pastoral wellness,
A decade-long study of United Methodist pastors in southern states found 41% of their pastor are overweight, compared to 29% of the general population. It’s been called an obesity epidemic. While we look forward to research on more denominations, the data we have consistently shows the physical health of pastors is at an unhealthy (but stable) place.
Dance went on to add, “Poor health decisions today will affect our options later. Are you setting yourself — and those who will care for you — up for a strong finish?”
Most pastors, elders and ministry leaders I know love their work and hope to do it long term. But if we hope to finish well in our callings, then we need to pay attention to our limitations. Here are five limits for healthy living that pastors, elders and ministry leaders may wish to consider for their own health and the well-being of those they lead:
1. Set limits on food intake: I enjoy eating more food than my body needs each day. In other words, my capacity for food intake is greater than the caloric demands of my body. A friend once said that “food is for fuel, not friendship.” Breaking up with food is hard to do as our bodies need it to survive, but if we consistently take in more than we need we run the risk of significant weight gain and damage to our health. Find out how many calories your body needs and adjust accordingly.
2. Set limits on calendar margin: Not everyone needs this advice, but some do. Some pastors, elders and ministry leaders need to work more and not less. But for those who are driven to fill every slot in their calendar, it could be wise to create some margin in your day, week and month. Leave room for unplanned meetings and ministry emergencies. Those of us who tend to fill up every half hour on a calendar would be well served to include some margin. It is good for your health and good for those you are leading.
3. Set limits on productivity: I love productivity! My goal every day is to get lots of good things done. I get up early, spend time with the Lord, read books and articles and then get to work. I make long lists of things to accomplish and have lots of goals. I have discovered, however, that it is never enough. If I am not careful, I can push myself to do more and more each day. There is value, if you are wired like me, in setting realistic goals and not pushing yourself to continually increase them. Consider whether you need to pull back just a little on productivity and spend some of your limited time enjoying the people and the life the Lord has given you.
4. Set limits on screen time: Run a quick little test. If you are an iPhone user, open your systems app and scroll down to Screen Time and see what that number says about the way you are using your time. It may be revealing to you. Constantly opening your phone to check messages, emails, social media or to play Candy Crush Saga is not conducive to your mental emotional health. Consider setting limits on how often you check your phone, once an hour or even every half hour, and see if you are not more relaxed throughout the day.
5. Set limits on work pace: I remember a poem that I would see as a child when I visited my grandmother’s house. It was titled Overheard in an Orchard, by Elizabeth Cheney.
Said the Robin to the Sparrow,
“I should really like to know
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so!”
Said the Sparrow to the Robin,
“Friend, I think that it must be
That they have no heavenly Father
Such as cares for you and me!”
Jesus accomplished all the Father had given Him to do and he was never in a hurry in doing it.
Financial investors use a term, Return on Investment (ROI), to help clients decide where to place their limited resources for growth. Embracing limits has a potential return on investment of better health, reduced stress and a more full and meaningful life. What limits do you need to put in place for healthy living?
Dr. Todd Gray 