We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed:
perplexed, but not in despair. (2 Corinthians 4:8, NIV)
Introduction
You spend enough time in one place, even a place you care about, and something starts to shift. The same faces, the same problems, over and over. What once stirred your heart just starts to wear you down. You stop waving at the neighbour because you know they’re going to ask you for something. You cross the road to avoid that guy who is always off his face looking for a fiver or just for a bit of your time. If you’re not careful you harden. Not because you’re heartless, but because you’re spent. Sound familiar?
In the video Corin calls it compassion fatigue. That creeping numbness. Like your emotional battery’s been run flat from too many nights caring, worrying, giving, until one day you don’t feel much anymore. Check it out.
⏵ Play the video: Compassion Fatigue Part 1
PART 2 | Reflection Questions
- In this season, what might it look like to offer yourself the same compassion and care you so often give to others?
- Who do you have in your life with whom you can share honestly, someone who truly sees how you’re doing, emotionally, spiritually and practically?
- Where in your ministry have you recently seen signs of God’s presence, even in small ways, and what helps you to remember God’s compassion is for you too?
💬 Response activity
Take a few moments to slow down and reflect on your recent days. Where have you noticed signs of God’s presence and compassion for you, no matter how small or quiet? This might be a kind word, a moment of laughter, an answered prayer, or a sense of peace in the discomfort. Write down a list of three or four of these moments. At the end of each day, take a moment to add any new small moments of compassion or hope you’ve noticed to your list.
🤔 Final thought
Some days let’s be honest, we just forget. We forget who we are. What we’re made of. Why we even started doing this work. Sometimes we even forget we belong to Jesus. It’s not like we mean to. It just happens. Life piles on. The noise gets loud. And we lose our bearings in the sea of need. Talking of which, remember the story of the disciples rowing through a storm? Chaos everywhere. These were experienced fishermen, used to choppy waters, and still they panicked. Thought it was game over. Why? They’d forgotten who was in the boat. The one who would never let them sink. That same Jesus is in your boat right now. You might feel numb or lost in a sea of need, like you’re barely holding it together. Pressed on every side. But you’re not crushed. Confused? Yup. But not in despair. The one who tells storms to shush is hushing your heart. In the mess, in the noise or even in the numbness, he’s still whispering: peace. I’ve got you.
🙏 Prayer
Lord,
Forgive me for when I have sold my neighbour short.
Where I have not loved them as I should.
I repent also for not looking after myself.
For not giving myself chance to catch a breath.
At times I have not known what to do,
At times I have wanted to run away and hide.
But I don’t want to quit.
I want to heal.
I want to recover my zest for life.
Help me recover everything worth finding that’s been lost.
And help me to lose anything you’ve not called me to carry.
I tell myself, even though I am under pressure right now, I shall not be crushed.
Even though I feel knocked down, I am not out for the count.
You help me to my feet again.
So now, I open myself to you,
Come speak.
Come breathe.
Come hold me.
Nurse my soul and teach me to love through this pain.
Work it together for my good.
Help me feel again.
Help me love again.
In your name, Jesus.
Amen
This devotional was written by Matt Britton, and the accompanying videos were written and presented by Corin Pilling.