I Decided to Keep Elephants from Standing on my Emotional Air Hose

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In the past I often postponed fundraising because I felt emotionally worn out—which seemed like most of the time! “I’ll fundraise next week,” I said.

But weeks slipped by. I was so demotivated I couldn’t even write a newsletter.

I finally discovered my error. It wasn’t one big problem—it was a few sneaky emotional drains.

Here’s what I changed:

1. Avoid VPD's—Very Draining People. We all have "friends" who suck life out of us. I had to put up boundaries to minimize these soul-draining encounters.

2. Not be constantly available. Where is it written that we must be "on-duty" 24/7? Jesus slept on a boat in a storm.

3. Schedule an oasis every day, an oasis every week, an oasis every year. Luke 5:16 says, "But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness to pray."

The word often grabbed me. I need time alone with Christ:

a.     Daily in the Scriptures–-30-60 minutes

b.     Weekly to pray and plan my coming week—three hours

c.     Annually for Bible study, prayer, reflection and hiking in the wilderness with Jesus, birds and trees—four days

4. Keep short accounts. Small misunderstandings with colleagues drained me. Acts 24:16 has the phrase:

"...to have always a conscience void of offense toward God and toward man."

Offenses must not be given permission to linger in our mind day after day. I now initiate talking to the one who with whom I’ve had a misunderstanding.

5. Give up the illusion of “control.” When I try to control a situation, I become domineering without realizing it. God controls the universe, not me. Philippians 4:6 says, “In everything by prayer and supplication, let your requests [plural] be made known to God….” I pray specifically.

Prayer: Father in Heaven, I confess I have not paid enough attention to “life management skills.” Please show me how I can keep these five elephants off my air supply. Amen