Ministry is hard. You've heard the stories and may even know leaders who have left their calling. Most of the damage is done not by external pressures, the conflicts, problems, or perceived failures, but by the internal responses to those pressures.

We’ve compiled here five essential strategies to making sure you’re left feeling energized and refreshed by your work, rather than beat down.

Reconsider your motives

Many in ministry burn themselves up trying to make everyone happy and trying to make every attempt at ministry successful, whether it is a new program, sermon series, counseling, or fund-raiser. Wanting to be successful does not seem wrong. What is wrong and dangerous is the pursuit of success for its own sake. The pursuit of affirmation. Or simply the desire to look better than others. Often the driving force behind this is the fear of failure or rejection from someone.

Break your day into thirds

Wherever you find yourself in ministry, creating spaces of rest in your ...