Staying Balanced While Using Your Gifts
Using our gifts to minister to others can deplete or overwhelm us if we are not careful.
Here are some reminders to help you stay balanced while glorifying God with your gifts:
Take Baby Steps.
Zeal and excitement can cause us to bite off more than we can chew. Committing to too many things at once sets us up for burn-out and ultimately works against us and others in the end. So, start small and be faithful with whatever you do, adding only to your plate what you can easily sustain.
Keep Your Priorities Straight.
God calls us to use our gifts but not at the expense of time spent with Him. Using our gifts, ministering to others, or operating in our calling is not a substitute for spending time with Jesus. They are completely separate things. Time spent with Jesus in His Word, praying, and listening to what He says is our number one priority.
Refuel Regularly.
Refueling spiritually, physically, and emotionally is vital to our effectiveness when ministering to others. We need to give ourselves “time-off” to recharge and fill ourselves back up after poured out to others faithfully. Jesus understood the importance of recharging. He would regularly go off by Himself to connect with His Father and refuel. He would also spend time with only His disciples because He knew His human limitations and the vital role recharging played in His overall calling.
Have you ever fallen prey to these pitfalls and found yourself gasping for air? Let me know in the comments below, including what you did to turn that around.