Decompression and Serving People  
by Scott A. Couchenour
  
When scuba divers return from the deep, a change in atmospheric pressure occurs.  Untreated, it could lead to "the bends", caused by nitrogen bubbles that form in the bloodstream and body tissues.  Symptoms include joint pains, itching, rash, swelling, numbness, weakness, choking, etc.  Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?

Smart divers take precautions to avoid this.  One key measure is to decompress slowly from the dive site to normal atmosphere.  The pressure must be changed gradually to readjust divers to normal pressure.

Ministering to people is a lot like that.  Service drains the servant.  When the ministry is done for the day, we attempt to relate to our spouse, kids, pay bills, fix the lawn mower, etc.  But do we realize the toll serving had on us?  Have we taken precautions to avoid burnout as we go from "dive site" to "normal atmosphere"?

Here are some "decompression" measures you can consider:

• Pray.  Pray.  Pray.  
• If you're a pastor who does funerals, consider making the funeral the only thing you do for that day.  After the funeral, go for a long walk in the woods, work on you hobby, read a book.  
• For the most part, don't let 7 days go without 1 day off.  
• After a significant ministry event, whether positive or negative, immediately list on paper the good things that took place.  Review it when the feelings of failure or defeat raise their ugly heads.  
• When you get a note of encouragement or thanks, don't read it and throw it away.  Keep it.  Make a file for all of them.  Call it "evidence" and review it periodically to keep your encouragement high.  
• Find a friend who can be your sounding board.  Process significant ministry events. Read about the saints in the Bible who were involved in great moments when God worked, but who later went through anger and despair (Jonah comes to mind in Jonah 3-4.) Remember, you're not alone.      

Scott A. Couchenour is on staff at Cogun, Inc., a design build firm specializing in resource and working with churches to find the right ministry space.  He is also a life balance coach to people who are called to serve people (vocationally or volunteer.)  His blog is www.servingstrong.typepad.com and he can be reached at coach@progressmax.com or 330.402.6600.