Develop Healthy Habits before You Preach
Skill Builders
Develop Healthy Habits before You Preach
As a preacher and a professor of homiletics I'm slowly learning what it takes to keep preaching over time
See themeAs a preacher and a professor of homiletics I'm slowly learning to discard the superhero, messiah complex that leads to stress and burn-out in ministry. In the process of developing healthy habits to deal with the rigors of preaching I've developed a simple acronym—S.H.E.D., which stands for Sleep, Hobbies, Exercise, and Devotions.
Sleep for the mind
The hours of sleep one enjoys before midnight are the most refreshing. Early in my ministry I was a night owl. But that pattern took its toll on my body. As my responsibility increased, the earlier I had to rise in the morning just to keep up with my increasing responsibilities. No more sleeping in until 7:00 or 8:00. For a while, I was burning the candle at both ends by rising between 5:30 and 6:00, and retiring between 11:00 and midnight. Eventually, I made an attempt to be in bed between 9:00 and 10:00 at night so that I could get a good sleep before waking up around 6:00. When I maintain this sleep pattern my body feels rested, ...
Please log in to rate and review this skill builder. Or subscribe now for full access.
Rating & Reviews
Average User Rating: Not rated
Displaying 1–3 of 3 comments
See all comments
Charlie Lyons
A great reminder. Similar to the above comment, knowing these already but being reminded is so good. Thanks so much!!
GAYLON Clark
Remembering what we already know is sometimes tough. Thanks for the reminder. Much needed. Invaluable.
Tim Sheets
Great and very helpful article! I appreciate the practical advice at the end. Sleep is where I struggle the most. I'm feeling a leading to really change my habits here, but have found it difficult as I tend to have the habits of a night owl.