This is why I so want to get my book published. Thanks for pointing this article out.
Continue reading Mental Illness all in your soul, says pastors
Am I happier than I thought?
Paul Gregory Alms over at Incarnatus Est pointed out a study done over a Yahoo! Jobs. Apparently America’s pastors are among the happiest workers.
Now what I find interesting is trying to juxtapose that with the fact that 20-30% of America’s clergy suffer from some sort of clinical depression. I don’t have any real brilliant insights, but I would be interested in yours. What’s your take?
-DMR
++++++++++++++++++++++
Clergy rated Americas happiest workers: “I bet you thought that headline was an Onion article. Its not.
After all we hear about burnout, stress and unhappiness this comes along. Turns out the ministry is a pretty good gig. While there is a reality in all those things, there must a be a big middle ground of contented folks.
Where Do America’s Happiest People Work?
I guess we are happier than we think.
Career isn’t the only factor”
Am I happier than I thought?
Paul Gregory Alms over at Incarnatus Est pointed out a study done over a Yahoo! Jobs. Apparently America’s pastors are among the happiest workers.
Now what I find interesting is trying to juxtapose that with the fact that 20-30% of America’s clergy suffer from some sort of clinical depression. I don’t have any real brilliant insights, but I would be interested in yours. What’s your take?
-DMR
++++++++++++++++++++++
Clergy rated Americas happiest workers: “I bet you thought that headline was an Onion article. Its not.
After all we hear about burnout, stress and unhappiness this comes along. Turns out the ministry is a pretty good gig. While there is a reality in all those things, there must a be a big middle ground of contented folks.
Where Do America’s Happiest People Work?
I guess we are happier than we think.
Career isn’t the only factor”
What to do if your pastor or loved one suffers from depression
I am working on an appendix for the book right now. This is a question that I seem to answer a lot. I have my own answers to this question, which I will post in a bit, but I would like to hear from you. How would you answer the above question? If you are a parishoner, spouse or friend of someone (pastor or not) who suffers from depression, what should you do?
What to do if your pastor or loved one suffers from depression
I am working on an appendix for the book right now. This is a question that I seem to answer a lot. I have my own answers to this question, which I will post in a bit, but I would like to hear from you. How would you answer the above question? If you are a parishoner, spouse or friend of someone (pastor or not) who suffers from depression, what should you do?
How to get out of the fog…
There are no easy solutions to that question. Here are a few that come to my mind, in no particular order:
- Pray
- Sleep
- Distract yourself with mindless entertainment
- Sunshine
- Exercise
- Quiet
- Wait
Other suggestions from the gallery? What do you do when you are in the depths?
-DMR
Not understood
I’m visiting with a parishoner the other day, I was struck once again by how completely misunderstood clinical depression is, in all of its various forms. This parishoner felt terribly guilty because he couldn’t spend any time with his family. He felt selfish that he had to spend so much of his time nad energy just on being able to function in a normal way. Two hours with the kids might mean 10 hours of time alone wiht quiet and no stress.
Was this person being selfish? No! They are sick. When you are sick there are certain things you need to do in order to get well. If you are talking about chronic sickness, there are certain things you can do, and others that you simply can’t. It isn’t a sign of moral failure. It is a sign of the fallenness and general sickness of our world and our own bodies. I urged this person to remember that they are doing what they do in order to get better. They are doing it so that they can fulfill their vocations as husband and father and worker. They aren’t being selfish. Far from it. They are being selfless.
It is easy when you are in the midst of the darkenss to think that you are coddling yourself by having to spend so much time alone and in little or no stress situations. When I was on disability, I played 157 rounds of golf. It took a lot of time, it cost a fortune, and I absolutely needed it. Why? Quiet. No family, no church, no email, no outside distractions, no stimulation beyond what was right in from of me. I’m sure there were more economical ways to do it. But this was my way. It worked.
So if you are in the midst of the darkness, don’t feel guilty about doing what you need to do to get better. You are doing them so that you will be able to be with your family and friends again. You are doing them so that you can serve you neighbor as best as you are able. And God is with you, will cover up your weaknesses, and use you to His glory and for the welfare of many. Including your family and friends.
-DMR
Not understood
I’m visiting with a parishoner the other day, I was struck once again by how completely misunderstood clinical depression is, in all of its various forms. This parishoner felt terribly guilty because he couldn’t spend any time with his family. He felt selfish that he had to spend so much of his time nad energy just on being able to function in a normal way. Two hours with the kids might mean 10 hours of time alone wiht quiet and no stress.
Was this person being selfish? No! They are sick. When you are sick there are certain things you need to do in order to get well. If you are talking about chronic sickness, there are certain things you can do, and others that you simply can’t. It isn’t a sign of moral failure. It is a sign of the fallenness and general sickness of our world and our own bodies. I urged this person to remember that they are doing what they do in order to get better. They are doing it so that they can fulfill their vocations as husband and father and worker. They aren’t being selfish. Far from it. They are being selfless.
It is easy when you are in the midst of the darkenss to think that you are coddling yourself by having to spend so much time alone and in little or no stress situations. When I was on disability, I played 157 rounds of golf. It took a lot of time, it cost a fortune, and I absolutely needed it. Why? Quiet. No family, no church, no email, no outside distractions, no stimulation beyond what was right in from of me. I’m sure there were more economical ways to do it. But this was my way. It worked.
So if you are in the midst of the darkness, don’t feel guilty about doing what you need to do to get better. You are doing them so that you will be able to be with your family and friends again. You are doing them so that you can serve you neighbor as best as you are able. And God is with you, will cover up your weaknesses, and use you to His glory and for the welfare of many. Including your family and friends.
-DMR
Would you like to be linked?
If you are a reader here that has a blog or other web site that may be of interest to other readers, please reply in the comment line to this post and I’ll add you to my blogroll. I’m slowly working on a facelife here.
Thanks!
-DMR
Would you like to be linked?
If you are a reader here that has a blog or other web site that may be of interest to other readers, please reply in the comment line to this post and I’ll add you to my blogroll. I’m slowly working on a facelife here.
Thanks!
-DMR