Thinking of #clergy, #pastors and #ministers today who often struggle in silence with their poor #mentalhealth. It is not weak to talk, get therapy and take meds. All 3 have changed my life. DM to talk. Tag your pastor/leader. Call them. #WorldMentalHealthDay2019 #mentalhealthday
I’m an ex-pastor. It was the hardest job I’ve ever done. It made me very ill. I lost all perspective on most things.
I sometimes think that pastors are the least mentally healthy people I know. The emotional and relational capital they spend on others far outweighs what comes back. Add a mental illness like I had to that equation and it can be extremely destructive.
Here are some things that pastors experience that you might not realise. They lose a lot by taking the job.
If you’re a #pastor please read my story and if you recognise yourself please talk to someone about it. You aren’t supposed to be super human. Your #mentalhealth health can break as easily as the rest of ours can.
https://davemagill.com/2017/02/02/my-mental-health-story-timetotalk/
Please don’t believe the lie that you must suffer as a form of service to the congregation. You’re health matters as much as anyone. You’re worth saving. You’re worth listening to.
Faith is not mindlessly smiling through the pain. Faith is a belief that the same God you hope will come through for you, whether that hope is vast or a mustard seed, is also big enough to hear your anger and sadness and desperation.
https://davemagill.com/2018/01/15/lament-its-not-just-ok-to-cry-we-should/
Please take care of yourself. You’re loved more than you’ll ever know. Talk. Pray. If you’ve got meds to take then take them. Go to therapy. Rest.
👍🏼