All Stressed Out And No Place To Go
By Certified Church Consultant, Dan Abbatiello
A number of years ago I heard stress and/or anxiety described as being caused by “high demand but low control.” High demand and low control sound an awful lot like ministry to me. Pastors and ministry leaders live in an environment of high expectation, but there is little they can truly do to catalyze what is often seen as ministry success. We cannot make people attend services, we cannot make people give. We cannot make them participate in ministry, we cannot make them evangelize and we certainly cannot make people receive Christ or become more Christlike.
Ministry in today’s culture seems even more difficult than it once was thus even more stressful (especially in the wake of moral confusion, political unrest, economic uncertainty, and the fallout from the pandemic). According to Barna Research, in 2022 and 2023, 42% of pastors considered leaving the ministry. Of those considering quitting, 56% cited stress as the reason. Even among those not considering quitting 34% indicate that stress negatively affected their calling. (Death by Pastoring, Schlesman, page 28)
An American Psychological Association article, states that there’s a fine line between stress and anxiety. Stress is typically caused by an external circumstances. Anxiety, on the other hand is more internal and caused by persistent, excessive worries that don’t diminish even in the absence of a stressors. However, both anxiety and stress lead to a nearly identical set of symptoms such as insomnia, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, muscle tension, digestive issues, overeating, anger, and irritability.
So, how can we as ministers deal effectively with stress and anxiety? The Apostle Peter addresses the subject in 1 Peter 5:6-11. He offers five factors that will help us to successfully navigate the rushing waters of ministry stress and anxiety.
First, he writes, “humble yourselves…” Stress builds and accumulates if we resist letting go of that for which we have no control. It seems to be like quicksand, the more you struggle the faster you sink. It is actually pride that causes us to think that we have within us the ability to lift ourselves up and out of stress and anxiety, when it is only God who can do that in us. We must commit ourselves completely to God allowing our spiritual poverty (Matthew 5) to bring us greater revelation of kingdom rest and God’s plan.
Secondly, stress and anxiety are to be “cast” onto the Lord because He cares for us. It seems that stress and anxiety have a substantive quality – a weight that bogs us down and if left to accumulate can overwhelm us. The apostle Paul also weighs in by exhorting us to allow prayer, supplication and giving thanks to displace anxiety (Philippians 4:7). We must therefore allow the Lord to carry the load – a load for which we are not equipped or required to carry.
Thirdly, we must be of “sober spirit.” Wake up, be alert, be vigilant, don’t be drunk in the fog of dissipation, mere busyness, and distractions. In the words of Mr. Miyagi, “Focus Daniel-san.” Be clear headed about the fact that we are in a war and have an enemy who will take advantage of us and do us harm if given opportunity.
Fourth, we are told to “resist him (the devil) firm in your faith.” Stress and anxiety are not merely circumstantial, psychological, or emotional, they are much more spiritual than we may think. Spiritual conflicts must be fought with spiritual weapons (2 Cor 10:4-5). The path to victory is found in the exercising our spiritual weaponry by faith.
Fifth, Peter tells us that, “the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” Bear in mind that you are not alone. Others are walking the path as well. Think of stress and anxiety as the common cold of ministry ailments. We all experience it so let’s admit it, accept it, and not feel guilty about it. Additionally, Peter calls it suffering so let’s not minimize it. Allow God’s grace, which is best understood as His transformational power, to work in us to confirm, strengthen, and establish us.
Therefore, let’s leverage ministry stress and anxiety to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of Christ – to become all that God desires us to become.
