55 | Spiritual Routines Pastors Wish They Had Time For: Biblical Wisdom

The weight of ministry can feel crushing—every congregation member's need resting on your shoulders, every spiritual crisis demanding your immediate attention. But what if God already provided natural remedies to help you manage this unique burden?

Get the full episode here: Soothe Your Soul - Natural Remedies for Stress >>> https://paulabehrens.com/blog/40904/sooth-your-soul-natural-remedies-for-stress 

That's exactly what I discovered during COVID-19 while pastoring two East Texas congregations. When most churches remained closed, I felt called to reopen our doors after just seven weeks, knowing many members lacked internet access for virtual services. Guided by biblical wisdom, we diffused frankincense throughout our sanctuaries—the same essence Aaron used to halt a plague in Numbers 16—and employed immune-supporting oil blends to sanitize between services. The results were remarkable: everyone stayed healthy, and hospital visits plummeted during this challenging time.

In this episode we delve into how essential oils can transform clergy stress into renewed spiritual vigor. Lavender promotes restful sleep after those late-night emergency calls. Frankincense grounds your prayers and meditation. Bergamot lifts your spirits after difficult pastoral encounters, while Ylang-Ylang helps you release work thoughts at day's end. These aren't just pleasant scents—they're powerful tools created by God on the third day specifically to support our emotional and spiritual well-being.

Remember Jesus' words about the birds of the air? "They do not sow or reap, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" The same God who provides for these creatures has given us natural remedies for the unique challenges of ministry. By embracing these aromatic gifts, we experience the abundant life Christ promises while becoming more effective servants. Self-care isn't selfish—it's essential to sustainable ministry. Your congregation deserves a pastor who's grounded, present, and spiritually vibrant. Discover how God's natural remedies can help you become exactly that leader.

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Tune in to Episode 3 > Are we Underestimating the Power of Oils in Biblical Teachings? >>> https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3-challenging-traditions-are-we-underestimating-the/id1748454615?i=1000658362480

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Ever feel like you're carrying the weight of your
entire congregation on yourshoulders?
Well, you're not alone.
Join me in today's conversationabout how to transform ministry
stress and anxiety intowell-being and peace.
Today I'm reaching out to myclergy sisters, but remember,

(00:21):
our shared mission calls all ofus believers to be in ministry
for Christ.
Hey friend are finding itchallenging to maintain your

(00:59):
spiritual practices or yearningfor a more peaceful, God-aligned
day?
I'm Paula and I've been theretoo.
Balancing spiritual habits witha busy life can be difficult.
I longed for a deeperconnection with God but
struggled with consistency.
Then I found the perfectapproach.

(01:59):
If you seek simple ways todeepen your connection with God,
this podcast is for you.
Before we get started, I'd liketo give a shout out to Emergency
Management, Mama.
She writes, Love, her uniquemethod.
Paula has a unique method withdevotions which incorporates all
the senses.
Her approach is great if it'sdifficult to slow down or focus

(02:22):
on your time with Jesus.
Thank you so much, EmergencyManagement Mama.
I appreciate your kind words.
If you'd like to leave a review, we'd truly appreciate it.
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(02:43):
Share your thoughts with ustoday and your review could be
showcased on one of our upcomingepisodes.
What a joy it is for me to hearfrom our listeners.
As a laid back grandma anddedicated podcaster, I'm
passionate about helping youngerwomen balance home life with
their spiritual journey.
I've also created a specialcovenant family bundle for moms

(03:05):
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It includes two devotionaljournals, a train-up, a child
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Grab this free collection nowby typing in bitly slash

(03:41):
faithfulfamily.
That's B-I-T Dot L-Y.
Slash faithfulfamily, no spaces.
Or look for a link in the shownotes.
You'll be glad you did.
All right, it's time to getstarted.
Grab your Bible, dust off thatjournal and cozy up to your
favorite beverage and let's divein.
During the challenging days ofCOVID-19, I had the privilege of

(04:05):
serving as a pastor for twocongregations in East Texas.
As the world grappled withuncertainty, we faced the
difficult decision to initiallyclose our church doors for an
extended period of time.
However, recognizing the deepspiritual needs of our
congregations and acknowledgingthat many of our members didn't

(04:27):
have reliable internet access,which meant virtual services
were almost impossible for them,I, as their pastor, chose to
reopen our church doors justseven short weeks into the
crisis.
In the midst of a time whenmost other churches in our
community chose to remain closed, I felt a profound concern for

(04:50):
the spiritual well-being of ourcongregations and decided to
take action.
After deep reflection andprayer, I felt compelled to
restore our in-person Sundaymorning worship services.
Taking inspiration from biblicalpractices, we diffused
frankincense into oursanctuaries.
This was reminiscent of theessence Aaron used, as

(05:12):
instructed by Moses, to halt aplague in the Old Testament.
We see that in Numbers 16, 46through 50.
Additionally, we utilized ablend of oils known for their
immune-supporting properties toclean the sanctuaries between
services, similar to the sacredanointing oils described in
Exodus 30, verses 22 through 25.

(05:35):
To ensure the safety of thecongregations, we placed hand
sanitizers infused with theseoils at all entrances.
Through God's grace and thewisdom found in his natural
creations, everyone remainedhealthy during those months.
Remarkably, I had fewerhospital visits during this
period than any other time in mytenure there.

(05:58):
We were truly blessed towitness the power of faith and
the miracle of wellness comingtogether amidst the surrounding
chaos.
Now, I am convinced that it wasthe harmonious blend of faith
and God's natural gifts that notonly safeguarded our community
during those difficult times,but also filled us with a sense

(06:19):
of calm.
As I now look back on theamazing grace we experienced, it
is evident to me that essentialoils can indeed play a pivotal
role, not just in maintainingour physical health, but also in
nurturing our emotional andspiritual well-being.
With that thought in mind,let's transition into today's

(06:41):
topic.
As a pastor myself, I understandthe unique challenges that come
with guiding others in theirfaith journey, and it's natural

(07:02):
to feel overwhelmed at times,but we can't let stress and
anxiety bring us down.
From my experience, stress andanxiety in the ministry field
comes from trying to fulfillexpectations, trying to be there

(07:23):
for everyone, all the time.
You know, it can take its tollon our emotional and mental
health.
We feel responsible foreveryone's problems and we want
to be the ones to solve them,even though we know that's not
possible, right?
Well, this kind of pressure canlead to burnout and exhaustion,
which is why it's important tohandle the urge to do all and be

(07:44):
all in a healthier way.
Essential oils offer a naturaland effective way to manage this
kind of stress and anxiety.
They promote relaxation andthey can help us to feel
grounded and renewed.
By incorporating them into ourdaily lives, we can enhance our
well-being and find a whole lotof joy in our calling to serve

(08:05):
others.
Seriously, as a seasoned clergysister and Certified Aroma
Freedom practitioner, I've gotyou covered with grace and oils.
One favorite oil for promotingrelaxation and reducing anxiety

(08:26):
is the ever-popular lavender.
With its calming properties,lavender can promote restful
sleep and reduce anxiety, makingit a must-have for anyone
dealing with stressful workenvironments.
Now I do want to add that whenchoosing essential oils, it's
VERY IMPORTANT that you choose atherapeutic grade oil.
If you grab just any oil offthe shelf, you most likely will

(08:49):
not get any of the benefits,because so many companies these
days are offering a syntheticversion of these oils.
They may be similar in aroma,but they will not do anything
for you medicinally.
In fact, they may haveadditives that can actually be
harmful to your system.
If you don't already know whichcompany is the best company,
ask me.
Okay, another fantastic oil totry is frankincense.

(09:12):
This grounding oil has beenused for centuries in spiritual
practices for its calming andsoothing effects, making it
perfect for use in the ministryfield.
Try adding a few drops to yourdiffuser during your evening
meditation, or apply it to thebottoms of your feet before you
turn in at night.
That's one must-have oil forclergy.
Another must-have oil,especially if you're looking to

(09:35):
boost your mood, is bergamot.
Its uplifting properties canhelp combat feelings of sadness
and frustration, while reducingstress and anxiety.
Ylang-ylang is anotheressential oil that can be
incredibly beneficial for anyonewho may be struggling with well
letting go of work in theevening.

(09:57):
I mean, how many of y'all havedone that?
Guilty here.
So this oil Ylang Ylang iscalming and relaxing and it's a
perfect addition to yournighttime routine or maybe to
put in your diffuser.
And last but not least, vetiveris a wonderful oil for
relaxation, easing anxiousfeelings and improving sleep

(10:18):
quality.
Its grounding properties makeit a great choice for when
you're looking to balance thoseemotions amidst the chaos of the
day to day.
With these essential oils inyour toolbox, you'll be well on
your way to managing stress andanxiety in your ministry work.
Let the God-designed aromaticmolecules of plants do their

(10:38):
work as you sit back and enjoythe peace and calm that comes
along with them.
Using essential oils for anyonein the ministry field is a,
well, it's just a no-brainer forme, because they are so good at
helping you to feel relaxed,balanced and focused, and when
you are relaxed, balanced andfocused, you can naturally be a
better leader, in whatever formthat takes.

(11:00):
And don't be afraid toexperiment with the different
oils and find what works bestfor you.
I mean there's not really aright or wrong way to do this.
Now let's talk about how to usethese wonderful gifts from God.
One of the easiest ways to useessential oils is to diffuse
them in the air.
I mean, these molecules comefrom the plants and they just

(11:21):
float into the air.
That's the way God designedthem.
Think about Adam and Eve in thegarden.
God put them, you know, amongstthe plants and shrubs and the
trees.
He didn't put them in a housewith closed windows and closed
doors.
So they were breathing in thesewonderful aromatic molecules
from the plants 24-7.

(11:42):
So you can have this too.
Whenever you put your oils in adiffuser, you just add a few
drops to your diffuser.
Or if you don't have a diffuser, you could actually just add a
few drops of oil to a bowl ofhot water.
Okay, so I always had mydiffuser going in the church
office.
Not only did I benefit frombreathing in those calming oils,

(12:04):
but everyone else in the officedid too.
Now that's a big plus if youask me.
Essential oils can be applied tothe skin, either neat or
diluted with a carrier oil, toprovide localized or systematic
effects.
When I'm having a particularlystressful day, I like to put a
drop of lavender, frankincenseand a blend called Stress Away
in the palms of my hands, rubthem together, cup them over my

(12:27):
nose and mouth and breathe indeeply.
This is also the memory releasemixture that I use during my
Aroma Freedom sessions with myclients.
It's especially helpful forreleasing negative thoughts and
feelings and memories.
You can also add essential oilsto a warm bath or drip a few

(12:48):
drops in the shower outside ofthe stream of water to promote
relaxation and reduce stress.
The warm water and steam helpto open up the pores, allowing
the essential oils to beabsorbed into the body more
easily.
It's like having your ownpersonal spa day.
Now, while some essential oilscan be ingested, it's important
to note that not all oils aresafe for internal use.

(13:09):
So you should always read thelabels on the bottles,
especially before ingesting.
For safety reasons, YoungLiving labels their
GRAS-certified oils, GRASg-r-a-s, generally regarded as
safe for internal use oils, witha white label.

(13:31):
And they're the only essentialoil company that has a GRAS
certified line of oils, whichare great for cooking or taking
as a supplement.
When we're in the ministryfield, it's easy to feel
overwhelmed and burnt out, butwith the help of these wonderful
gifts from our Creator, thearomatic molecules from the
plants created for us on thethird day of creation, with

(13:52):
their help, we can find reliefand renewal.
Incorporating these oils intoour daily routine allows us to
experience a whole new level ofwellness, empowering us to be
more effective in our ministryand let's be honest, who doesn't
want that?
Think about this, as Christians,we strive to walk in the truth
that Jesus Christ is ourprovider and that everything we

(14:14):
need we can receive from him.
It's important to trust inGod's provision for our physical
, emotional and spiritualwell-being.
In Matthew 6, 26, Jesus remindsus that the Father takes care
of the birds and they don'tworry about their needs being
met.
And how much more does ourHeavenly Father care for us, his
children?
He's created all that we needfor our well-being on this earth

(14:38):
, including the aromaticmolecules of plants, the
essential oils, which can have apositive impact on our health
and lifestyle.
We need to focus on theblessings and goodness of God
rather than on our worries.
The more we trust in God'sprovision, the more peace and
joy and satisfaction we aregoing to experience in this life

(14:58):
.
When we put our faith in God,we can be sure that he will
provide for all of our needs inhis perfect timing and way.
The aromatic molecules fromplants can help us to live a
more abundant life andexperience the blessings that
God has in store for us.
Let's remember to trust in himand his provision for all things
and he will take care of therest.

(15:21):
Now I know that was a lot totake in, so let's do a little
recap.
We begin by delving into theoften overlooked topic of
managing ministry stress andanxiety through the use of
essential oils.
I shared my personalexperiences and insights on how
these natural remedies have beena game changer for me and for
my congregations.
We explored how the uniquechallenges of ministry can lead

(15:44):
to emotional exhaustion andburnout as we feel the weight of
our congregation's problems onour shoulders, but we also
discussed the hope that comesfrom realizing God has provided
natural solutions for ourwell-being.
Throughout the episode, Ihighlighted specific essential
oils and their therapeuticbenefits for clergy members,
lavender for its ability topromote restful sleep, and

(16:06):
frankincense for its spiritualgrounding properties during
evening meditation.
We talked about how bergamot isgreat for uplifting your mood
after a difficult day andylang-ylang for letting go of
work thoughts at night.
These oils are more than justpleasant scents.
They are powerful tools createdby God on the third day of
creation to support our physicaland emotional health.

(16:28):
We also emphasize theimportance of using therapeutic
grade oils that provide genuinebenefits, as opposed to
synthetic alternatives thatmight actually be harmful.
We considered Matthew 6, verse26, as a biblical foundation for
embracing these naturalprovisions from God.
Look at the birds of the air.
They do not sow or reap orstore away in barns, and yet

(16:51):
your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not much more valuablethan they?
By gratefully accepting thesearomatic gifts from God, we can
experience the abundant lifeChrist promises, while becoming
more effective in our ministry.
If you're a clergy member,struggling with the pressures of
your calling, I encourage youto consider how essential oils

(17:11):
might support you in yourjourney as you embrace the
natural solutions God hasprovided and experience the
freedom and joy he intends foryou as his good and faithful
servant.
Okay, so for the full version ofthis episode with more ways to
reduce the stress and anxietythat comes with the ministry,

(17:31):
look for a link in the shownotes and, as always, be sure to
do your own research whenlooking for the best quality
essential oils, the ones you cantrust, and remember that
balancing your ministryresponsibilities doesn't mean
sacrificing your well-being.
Discover the profound impactthat the natural aromas of

(17:52):
plants can have on your journey,offering support for your mind,
body and spirit.
To find my favorite oils, checkfor a link in the show notes.
Well, that's a wrap.
Thank you for tuning in todayand remember, just like setting
biblical boundaries, it's okayto say no to things that don't

(18:12):
serve you well, like that thirdpiece of cake at the church
potluck.
If you've enjoyed this episode,we would truly appreciate it if
you could leave us a review,share it with a friend and
follow now and don't miss out ontoday's freebie, available at
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(18:39):
Join us next week as wecontinue to discover how to live
on purpose in Christ.
Until then keep leaning intoHim and walking in His wisdom.
See you next time!