someone you know needs to read this
* please forward *
💔
"Caregivers and ministry leaders are not only susceptible to increased levels of stress ... when combined with a call to love and serve others, the result is what is commonly referred to as compassion fatigue.
Compassion fatigue can be understood as a comprehensive exhaustion that takes place over time when one is constantly in the 'giving' position and, as a result, loses his/her ability and motivation to experience joy, satisfaction, or feel and care for others.
It is sometimes referred to as secondary or vicarious traumatic stress associated with the emotional residue related to the cause of caring. The traumatic event or crisis did not happen to you directly, but you were close enough to those it did impact that its detrimental effects can still have a causal outcome."
Compassion fatigue can be understood as a comprehensive exhaustion that takes place over time when one is constantly in the 'giving' position and, as a result, loses his/her ability and motivation to experience joy, satisfaction, or feel and care for others.
It is sometimes referred to as secondary or vicarious traumatic stress associated with the emotional residue related to the cause of caring. The traumatic event or crisis did not happen to you directly, but you were close enough to those it did impact that its detrimental effects can still have a causal outcome."
But then there's the trials that go on longer, their impact is deeper, and nothing is wrapped up in three easy steps. There seems to be no relief in sight because everywhere we turn, something urgent pops up that demands our attention and we slowly but surely begin to get a bit crispy around the edges.
Overwhelmed. Frazzled. Exhausted. Running on empty.
A sense of numbness slowly creeps into every crevice. Joy, passion, zeal, and purpose fade to a distant memory. The weariness is soul-deep, tomorrow seems daunting, and God somehow seems further away than we can ever remember.
Hello compassion fatigue. Burnout. Ministry fatigue syndrome.
Call it what you want, this body/mind/soul level exhaustion is sadly alive and well in the church among the people of God. It was always there but covid did us no favors. This level of fatigue impacts every level of our lives and left unacknowledged and unattended, its relentless tentacles reach deep into our health, relationships, decision-making, ministries, everything.
Ministry leader. Health professional. Griever. Pastor. Therapist. Church staffer. Teacher. Ministry volunteer. People helper. Director of this or chairman of that. Family member. Job hunter. Chronic health sufferer.
Let's talk. That's where the healing starts.
Linda
Part 2 - Clarify Your Motivation
Part 3 - Nudges Toward Wholeness
Please Note - If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, please contact your doctor for an evaluation.
IN CRISIS?
CALL 911
tell them it is a mental health
emergency & you would
like a CCIT or CIT
trained officer
OR
OR
go immediately to your local
hospital emergency room
*
visiting
*
unknown candle image creator
I worry about that in terms of Ukraine. We must not let them down.
ReplyDeleteJeanie, I really appreciate your heart for what's happening in Ukraine. It's too easy to just focus on what's happening in our own lives. Thank you for reminding us there's a great big world with lots of hurting, desperate people.
DeleteBless you.
🌏
Thank you, Linda. Vital information for so many, myself included. - Debby
ReplyDeleteI need to re-visit all this, too, friend.
Delete😏
Thank you for putting a name to this!!!! I'm feeling better already. A lot of my patrons beeline to my desk to unload their burdens and I'm happy to listen and help but lately I've been trying to avoid those chatty patrons. I was feeling terrible like "what's wrong with me that I'm not helping these people" but now I know it's just a season. I need to restore myself again in order to give again. I can do this.....................
ReplyDeleteYes, you can! Many people can spot a compassionate heart a mile away and that's who you are.
DeleteThere's a fine line between being open with our time and figuring out what boundaries in our particular workplace look like. As you create good boundaries you'll be modeling something healthy for those who make a beeline to your desk. Keep us posted!
🐝
Hello! This one really hits home !! Thank you 😎
ReplyDelete* subscriber email response
Yep, for me, too. I hope you're doing well. Thanks for connecting!
Delete💞
I'm so glad you're tackling this subject, Linda! I actually wrote on a very similar topic yesterday and what you share here describes perfectly what I was talking about. I think just being aware of it and recognising it can make a big difference. I look forward to the other posts in your series.
ReplyDeleteLesley, don't you just love when the Lord does that ... puts the same thing not only on our hearts but another's as well. There's usually a reason and sometimes we'll never know exactly why.
Delete🕊️
READERS - Head on over to Lesley's place
https://lifeinthespaciousplace.wordpress.com/2022/10/24/when-the-burden-is-too-heavy/
I remember feeling this kind of fatigue as a teacher, and seeing it in my husband, a pastor. Taking time for rejuvenation--physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually are key. We weren't always good about that! I'm so glad you're addressing this, Linda, so others might avoid crisping around the edges! (Such a great image for compassion fatigue!)
ReplyDeleteAnd Nancy, I'm so glad you're in on this conversation. You guys have first hand experience with this and I look forward to the wisdom you'll share. You're an answer to prayer. There's nothing like hearing from someone who's been there, done that.
DeleteI love how God redeems those seasons 'the locusts have eaten' (Joel 2).
🦗
I love that you are tackling this subject. My son was a pastor for two years and I know he was suffering from compassion fatigue but we didn't have a name for it. My last few years of teaching were filled with compassion fatigue because there were so many hurting kids. I look forward to this series.
ReplyDeleteMary, I'm glad you're here ... I hope you'll feel comfortable sharing some of your story along the way. We have a good number of pastors and teachers in our community. It's always a relief to know we're not the only one struggling.
DeleteWelcome.
🙋♀️
Thank you for addressing this, Linda. 🥰🙏🏻 It touches my heart that you even include the lesser known like family member... Love, hugs, and blessings of strength and peace to you, my friend!
ReplyDeleteActually, you've zoomed in on where many find their compassion fatigue coming from, Trudy! It's family, those we're related to by blood or love. And because they remain in our lives in some way, this becomes an especially huge, often wrenching challenge.
DeleteThis weekend's post may help shed a bit of light?! Please, God ...
💡
It is so good of you to address this. I think it goes even deeper than caregiving. I think everyone is affected because we were never meant to know and absorb everything we hear and see now. Due to instantaneous news, the internet and picture and video accessibility, we know about ever tragedy, disappointment and evil perpetuated in real time. It's so concerning.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right. Our 24/7 news cycle is enough to put any sane person right under the table. And our addiction to doom-scrolling is unhealthy at all kinds of levels. We were never created to absorb this unending kind of exposure to trauma.
DeleteNo wonder we're emotionally fatigued, wrung out, and anxious.
If we ever needed to create healthy boundaries in our lives, it'd be now. Thank you so much for putting this on the table. I so appreciate your input.
😩
What a great series to raise up for discussion, I know 2020 drained so many of us. I hear this with others that work in the church and I am sure in other industries too. Long recovery.
ReplyDeleteYep, you're right, Jean. I'm observing and hearing the same. And yes, it's a long, sometimes complex road to recovery. And too many people don't want to hear that.
DeleteLord, have mercy.
😕
This interesting new series will definitely help a lot of people!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit. Glad you liked my teacup haul from a church sale (yes, I bought them all for a great deal). LOL.
You've got the most fun collection ever!
Delete🍵
This is definitely a topic that needs plenty of conversation. I think the phrase "running on empty" sums up my experience with this problem. We must be refilling our tanks or we have nothing to give.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're here, Jerralea - you make such an important point ... 'We must be refilling our tanks or we have nothing to give.' Yes, yes, and yes.
DeleteThat's a really scary place to be. Been there, done that.
😥
This is such a needed area of discussion, Linda! I appreciate you "calling out" our need for self-care and rejuvenation.
ReplyDeleteWe'll look at that this week! Sometimes it's really helpful to see common sense ideas in black and white. Should be a fun discussion ...
Delete👭👫👭
Boy, did I ever find myself in compassion fatigue all the years I was a Social Worker. Even though I'm retired, everyday circumstances can bring it on. I'm looking forward to this series.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend.
Oh, I hear you Paula. Living as a people helper is an important calling with great blessings ... but it often comes at a cost. I found that having those times with other counselors or ministry leaders to debrief and re-group to be essential to staying healthy. Some seasons I had those opportunities and other seasons, not so much.
DeleteI hope you find something in the series that will encourage your heart, friend. I'd love to hear about your work some time ...
😉