God rested on the seventh day for a reason (Gen. 2:2). As followers of His example, we need to realize it’s okay to rest after hard work, too.
No matter what ministry concerns—or even ministry successes—you’re facing, know it’s good to balance work commitments with healthy boundaries and quiet times.
So get rest. Take a Sabbath for spiritual rejuvenation. Don’t forget your immediate family is just as important as your church family, and spend time with people who uplift your spirit. Then, with the right priorities, you’ll be more effective in ministry, from the inside out.
While it’s easy to commit to making this change, you have to be prepared to pull back and slow down. That’s why we asked Foursquare pastors and leaders to share their advice on achieving balance in life. With their suggestions, stories and personal insights into Scripture, you’ll see how they live well. Then, you can take their tips to heart, make changes as needed and begin to live better, too.
Learn When to Say No.
“The best advice I have ever received on how to live well was to learn the word ‘no.’ More often than not, we say yes to everything, but learning to say no takes great strength. We want to minister to people, but sometimes we forget we need to tend to ourselves and to our family.
“The first time I was able to say no was very freeing and helped me realize I need to always have balance in my life. We can’t take care of people if we do not take care of ourselves and our family!” –Lt. Mark Beaudet, CHC, U.S. Navy, an ordained Foursquare minister and U.S. Navy chaplain with Foursquare Chaplains International, in Bremerton, Wash.
Know What Matters.
“Ask yourself two questions: (1) What matters most to you? and (2) What is enough? Investing daily in things that really matter to you when it’s all said and done is life-changing. If you really care about something, invest intentionally into it.
“Secondly, work toward finding clarity as to what you think ‘enough’ may be in your current season of life. Act accordingly. Contentment is a true gift and sets healthy boundaries that prevent over-commitment and burnout.” –Charles Lee, CEO of Ideation and author of Good Idea. Now What?
Work Hard but Get Rest.
“Embrace your season, work hard and get rest. There is no time like the present, and today is an opportunity! Today the Lord could work miracles in your life and those around you; so grab some leather gloves, because miracles often come wrapped in coveralls.
“Love gives the benefit of the doubt, so believe the best in everybody [so] that there may be no strife in your heart. Get rest, have fun and never stop dreaming. Trust in the Lord, don’t lose hope, and don’t lose heart! Have simple faith, and love Jesus.” –Nate Wilcox, a Foursquare license candidate and youth leader at Front Range (Westminster II Foursquare Church) in Westminster, Colo.
Build Meaningful Relationships.
“The best advice I ever received on how to live well: Establish mentoring relationships. Mentoring helps leaders to build characteristics of those who finish well.
“Paul D. Stanley and Robert Clinton, in their book Connecting: The Mentoring Relationships You Need to Succeed (NavPress, 1992), stated that those who finish well in Christ have perspectives which enable them to focus, enjoy intimacy with Christ and experience repeated times of inner renewal. They are disciplined in important areas of life, maintain a positive learning attitude all their lives, and have a network of meaningful relationships and several important mentors during their lifetimes.
“All of these characteristics are needed, not only to finish well, but to enter the Great Commandment and engage the Great Commission in our society. Leaders always can find great mentors around them. Through mentoring, leaders and emerging leaders in this society can learn establishing right habits of following Christ.” –SoYoung Kim, an adjunct professor at Life Pacific College (also known as LIFE Bible College) and pastor’s wife, serving at The Ever Shining (Rowland Heights Foursquare Church) in Rowland Heights, Calif.
Evaluate Existing Commitments.
“Sometimes a personal strength can also be a personal weakness, which has been my problem. My work ethic and commitment to excellence is both a strength and a weakness. I can sometimes over obligate myself. Until I learned the ‘+1-2=0’ principle.
“When an opportunity presents itself, I evaluate my life to see if there are two things I can eliminate. If not, I don’t commit. One new opportunity minus two existing commitments equals zero stress. This principle has helped me reduce the stress in my life, provide appropriate margins in my day, and keep my mind and spirit healthy and focused.” –Jason Reynolds, an ordained Foursquare minister, church planter and senior pastor of Hillcrest (Newton Foursquare Church) in Newton, Kan., and police chaplain coordinator with Foursquare Chaplains International
Measure Your Life.
“The best advice I ever received was not necessarily spoken but lived. My father (deceased March 2000) greatly influenced his six children, friends and co-workers. He had a wonderful sense of humor, a balanced approach to work, leisure and rest, and an understanding that life, with it blessings and burdens, is to be lived.
“He taught me that the true measure of a person’s life is not measured by one’s bank account or address; rather, by character and generosity. His audible voice has long been silenced, but his advice still echoes in my heart.” –Jim McGuire, an ordained Foursquare minister and hospice chaplain coordinator with Foursquare Chaplains International, in New Lenox, Ill.
Read More
Don’t miss the rest of our series on recommended ways to live well:
- How Do I Live Well? Find Contentment.
- How Do I Live Well? Love Always.
- How Do I Live Well? Be Present.
- How Do I Live Well? Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly.
See our story “What’s The Best Advice You Ever Received On How To Live Well?” in the July 2013 issue of Foursquare Leader magazine.
Written and compiled by: Allyson Siwajian, content coordinator for The Foursquare Church and Foursquare Leader magazine in Los Angeles
