| So, Sunday I had an “episode” between our two worship services. My eyesight got blurry, I saw stars and almost passed out. I made my way to my office and collapsed in my chair. My wife and several others encouraged me to go to the hospital. Which, of course I didn’t. Out of the abundance of caution (I hate that phrase by the way), I went to the hospital Monday night. Turns out, besides being fat, I am fine. My heart, cholesterol, blood pressure is all great. What I suffered from is a panic attack. It isn’t the first time this happened. In fact in college I used to get stress headaches that would cripple me. I hate, as a pastor that I must confess this. The reason I am doing so is to implore you to take care of your mental health. Too often, mental health is ignored or mislabeled in the church. It is either labeled as demonic (which sometimes it can be) or even seen as sin for a believer to struggle with anxiety or depression. I sat in church one day as my senior pastor shouted from the pulpit that it was impossible for a Christian filled with the Holy Spirit to struggle with depression. So, I simply had to struggle in silence. So, I say now as a senior pastor, mental health is a real thing. Mental illness is just as real as cancer, as diabetes or a broken arm. So, if you struggle…get help. Talk to someone, take medication if you have to but I believe many Christians struggle simply because we fail to live as God called us to live. In particular when it comes to having a sabbath. Take a sabbath. God knows what we need, and we need a day to rest and spend time in worship (not walking around singing and preaching), giving God some attention. What this does is two things. 1) It places God in proper perspective – Too often we are the god in our own little worlds. When we take time to focus on God, it reminds us that we must decrease so that he may increase. 2) It places Life in proper perspective – When you go hard all the time, it forces you to believe that EVERYTHING is urgent, when very few things in your schedule really are. When you take a break, you slow down your mind, allowing you to focus more clearly. Ironically, you will likely get MORE done by taking a day off. I am not very good at doing this spiritual discipline. Even though it is a commandment of God. However, my life as a father, husband, friend, and pastor is too important for me to ignore what my body is obviously telling me. So, I will strive to be better at demonstrating a godly way of living through sabbath. I pray we will all do the same. |
Sean Rheaume 
Sean, I completely understand your post, I suffer from anxiety and have had panic attacks in the past. It is not fun. Thank you for sharing! I appreciate you openness and advice. I think I keep my self so busy so I will not be able to stop and worry even though I know that is not good. Crazy thing is I have about 15 balls in the air I am juggling right now, my biggest fear is one will drop. I need to realize every day if a ball drops the world will not end and spend more time in worship and the Word.