Spring is fully sprung! Actually, that’s only half right… In the Southern Hemisphere, fall is falling, with winter coming soon. But back to the U.S…. Spring is often a time when spirits lift. The gloominess of winter is (hopefully) long-gone, we’re able to get outside, and summer vacation is almost here!
If you’re feeling like you can conquer the world, that’s awesome! It’s likely, at the same time, that someone on your team is going through a rough patch, or is feeling down. So what do you do? I’d suggest the following: Express optimism, show compassion/empathy, and give hope.
EXPRESS OPTIMISM – You can’t pull everyone down to the level of the most depressed person in the room. While it may seem caring, it will ensure that negative emotions are the primary feelings associated with your team. Please note that I am not referring to serious life events. Those absolutely require the entire team coming around the hurting individual.
SHOW COMPASSION/EMPATHY – Absolutely DO pull the person aside, ask how you can help, and attempt to do so. Many times, simple focused listening is all that someone requires to feel understood and cared for.
GIVE HOPE – Part of why we are at church is to heal, rather than wallow in our misery. You don’t help someone with a broken leg by saying: “It’s OK to have a broken leg. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, etc…” You set the bone, wrap it in a cast, and then walk with them through the rehabilitation process. Help them to move beyond the broken, rather than live there and assume that’s their identity. We are ALL broken in many ways, but God offers help, hope, and healing.
Again, please remember that NONE of what I have said above refers to people with clinical depression or serious life issues. Rather, it’s the day-to-day uplifting that we give to each other’s spirits, pointing our team members towards the realization of their potential. Helping them to unleash all that they can be. ..
And remember, optimism is a CHOICE, not something that happens to us. #creativeworshipideasv
Spring is fully sprung! Actually, that’s only half right… In the Southern Hemisphere, fall is falling, with winter coming soon. But back to the U.S…. Spring is often a time when spirits lift. The gloominess of winter is (hopefully) long-gone, we’re able to get outside, and summer vacation is almost here!
If you’re feeling like you can conquer the world, that’s awesome! It’s likely, at the same time, that someone on your team is going through a rough patch, or is feeling down. So what do you do? I’d suggest the following: Express optimism, show compassion/empathy, and give hope.
EXPRESS OPTIMISM – You can’t pull everyone down to the level of the most depressed person in the room. While it may seem caring, it will ensure that negative emotions are the primary feelings associated with your team. Please note that I am not referring to serious life events. Those absolutely require the entire team coming around the hurting individual.
SHOW COMPASSION/EMPATHY – Absolutely DO pull the person aside, ask how you can help, and attempt to do so. Many times, simple focused listening is all that someone requires to feel understood and cared for.
GIVE HOPE – Part of why we are at church is to heal, rather than wallow in our misery. You don’t help someone with a broken leg by saying: “It’s OK to have a broken leg. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, etc…” You set the bone, wrap it in a cast, and then walk with them through the rehabilitation process. Help them to move beyond the broken, rather than live there and assume that’s their identity. We are ALL broken in many ways, but God offers help, hope, and healing.
Again, please remember that NONE of what I have said above refers to people with clinical depression or serious life issues. Rather, it’s the day-to-day uplifting that we give to each other’s spirits, pointing our team members towards the realization of their potential. Helping them to unleash all that they can be. ..
And remember, optimism is a CHOICE, not something that happens to us.
creativeworshipideas 