Contemplate

Becoming aware of your personal and health needs is a great start!  Reviewing options helps one move towards “self-care”.  Contemplation about one’s care and options is crucial in making a decision to adjust to being healthier.

A good example of the “contemplation phase” is a worship leader, who has read numerous articles on exercise, has started exercise programs in the past, has found several exercise options that will work though is unsure about starting.  To avoid being stuck in this phase, the leader can consider what is preventing him/her from starting.  Usually, the obstacle is an emotional one like in this leader’s case it is feeling “unsure”, interfering with his/her motivation.

Moving through contemplation is usually a trial period where the individual actually “tries out” several options, assesses how they feel about the outcome of each one and then makes a decision on which option he/she will take.  Be flexible here, try out several options to figure out which option will work best for you.

Another example is the missionary, in the field, working with nationals on a daily basis.  This missionary leader feels tired a lot, tense and overwhelmed at times.  After reviewing several options, the leader here choses to start with the easiest option (path of least resistance) which is talking to his spouse about how he is feeling.  The next week, he found an old journal and decided to write several thoughts down to sort out his thoughts and feelings.  Later, feeling a little more sure of himself and his needs, he decided to e-mail a friend back home to ask for prayer while he works through some ministry challenges.

No matter the need, contemplation is more than thinking about it.  Contemplation phase can also be active trials taken to make a commitment to change.

For more help, contact Gary at  gary@ministrycare.org or 314-629-7110.