Finding the Rhythm That Keeps You Going in Ministry
Sep 21, 2026
There’s a particular kind of tired that shows up on Sunday night.
You’ve preached, led, listened, answered questions, and helped carry burdens that won’t be resolved before you go to bed. Some weeks, you’ve also made difficult decisions that people may never fully understand.
You can be grateful for what God did and still feel completely spent.
If that’s where you find yourself, you’re not alone. I know that fatigue. After nearly 30 years in ministry, I’ve learned to pay attention to it—and to make room for recovery before another week begins.
The Shepherd Needs to Shepherd Me, Too
I constantly find myself returning to Psalm 23.
The Lord is my Shepherd. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
Those words become deeply personal after a demanding week. I spend so much of my time thinking about how to shepherd other people that I can forget to let the Lord shepherd me.
But I need His care. I need His leading. And sometimes, I need to lie down.
I’ve found that it’s a lot better when He doesn’t have to force me to rest.
There will always be another reason to keep going. Another person to check on. Another decision to make. Another loose end that seems too important to leave until tomorrow.
At some point, I have to trust that I can stop for a while and that God will continue caring for the people I love.
What Monday Looks Like for Me
Monday is my day off.
That means no meetings, no email, no phone calls, and no ministry problems to solve. It’s a boundary I’ve learned to protect because I know how easily work can fill whatever space I leave available.
I’ll be with my family. I might tinker around the house. I will absolutely go on a long walk with my wife. I’ll make room for the ordinary things that help me feel rested, connected, and present again.
Nothing about that is particularly impressive. There’s no complicated recovery system.
But there is a rhythm.
My week has a place where I can set down some of what I’ve been carrying. I don’t have to decide whether I’ve accomplished enough to deserve it. I’ve already made room for it.
Your day may be different. Your family responsibilities, work schedule, or season of ministry may require a different approach. The question is whether recovery has an actual place in your week—and whether the people around you know when that is.
When the Tyranny of Another Week Returns
Of course, the new week comes.
The lists get long again. The inbox fills up. Someone needs help, a decision needs to be made, and the next Sunday is already approaching.
That’s when I need shorter visits to the still waters.
A walk. A few quiet minutes with Scripture. A meal where I’m fully present. A conversation with my wife that has room for something besides church.
I can’t expect one day off to carry the entire weight of an otherwise relentless week. I need moments throughout the week when I receive care, reconnect with God, and remember that I have limits.
And it helps to know another Monday is coming.
There’s something sustaining about knowing rest has a place on the calendar. I can give myself to the work in front of me knowing there will also be time to set it down.
A Rhythm You Can Actually Keep
When you’re exhausted, even advice about rest can feel like another assignment.
So start with something concrete.
When is your next opportunity to step away? What would help you recover during that time? What needs to be communicated now so you can be present when that time comes?
If you serve on a team, talk about how you’ll cover genuine emergencies so everyone has an opportunity to rest. If you tend to check email out of habit, decide ahead of time when you’ll close it and when you’ll return.
Then think about what actually fills your tank.
For me, it includes family, walking with my wife, finding a new coffee shop, reading a bit, etc. For you, it may look different. Pay attention to what leaves you more rested and able to engage with the people you love.
There will be weeks when the rhythm gets interrupted. When that happens, make room to return to it. A difficult week doesn’t have to become your permanent way of life.
Making Room to Serve for the Long Haul
I know this sounds ridiculously simple.
But this rhythm has helped keep me going in ministry for nearly 30 years. It has given me a regular opportunity to recover, enjoy my family, and return to the work with renewed energy and joy.
I love serving Jesus. I want to keep serving Him for a long time.
Part of that has been learning to follow my Shepherd when He leads me toward the still waters—and trusting Him enough to stay there for a while.
How about you?
What helps you recover after a hard week of serving others? I’d honestly love to compare notes.
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