5 Ways to Overcome Compassion Fatigue at Church and in Daily Life

1. Prioritize self-care.

It’s not selfish to take care of ourselves; in fact, it’s essential for effective ministry. In Mark 6:31, Jesus tells his disciples: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Just as Jesus withdrew to rest and recharge, we also need moments of solitude and rejuvenation. So, pause and take an honest look at the current state of your well-being. Consider whether you may have the symptoms of compassion fatigue: emotional exhaustion, physical tiredness, feelings of cynicism or detachment, and a decreased sense of empathy and compassion. Then, commit to caring for your own needs so you can recover and care well for others.

Prioritize self-care to replenish your own spiritual, physical, and emotional health. Self-care looks different for everyone, but it often involves intentional practices that nurture our overall well-being. This could include setting aside time for daily prayer and meditation, engaging in regular exercise, maintaining a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and participating in relaxing and fun activities like spending time in nature. Psalm 23:2-3 says of God: “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul...”. God desires for us to experience rest and restoration.

By prioritizing self-care, we honor the soul and body God has entrusted to us. We follow God’s call to take good care of our health. That allows us to serve others from a place of abundance rather than depletion. So, we don’t need to feel guilty for taking time to care for ourselves. Doing so can help us fulfill our calling to love and serve others.

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2. Set boundaries.

Boundaries are like guardrails that help us navigate the landscape of our lives without veering off course or experiencing burnout. In Exodus 18:17-23, we see Jethro advising Moses to delegate responsibilities and set boundaries to prevent exhaustion. We also must learn to establish healthy boundaries in our relationships and commitments, recognizing our limitations and honoring our needs. Setting boundaries involves knowing when to say “no” without guilt or fear of disappointing others.

Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and one of them is self-control, which is a character trait that helps us set healthy boundaries. Setting boundaries means carefully guarding our time, energy, and resources, so we don’t overextend ourselves. This could mean declining additional responsibilities when our plate is already full, turning down requests that don’t align with our priorities, or setting specific time limits on our availability. Setting boundaries involves loving ourselves as God loves us, but it’s also an important way to love others. When we establish clear boundaries, we communicate our needs and limitations effectively, which ultimately leads to healthier and more sustainable relationships.

Boundaries also help us maintain a healthy balance between giving and receiving. Ultimately, setting boundaries allows us to serve others more effectively and authentically, without sacrificing our own health and happiness in the process. We shouldn’t hesitate to set boundaries to protect our well-being and serve others well.

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3. Trade worry for peace of mind.

Worrying about the future can exacerbate compassion fatigue, draining our energy and stealing our peace. Instead of dwelling on what might happen, let’s focus on the present moment and trust God to provide for our needs. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:34: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Whenever we catch ourselves worrying, we can overcome worry by turning our worries into prayers.

Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.” We can pray about everything that concerns us. So, when worries threaten to overwhelm us, let’s bring our concerns before God and surrender them into his capable hands. Let’s trust God to give us peace of mind. As we think about our fatigue and our concerns for the people who need help, we can ask God to fight anxiety for us when it creeps into our minds.

By focusing on what we can control in the present moment – rather than fretting about the unknown future – we can stay peaceful and find renewed energy and motivation to continue serving others with compassion.

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4. Seek community support.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up...”. This truth highlights the importance of community in our lives – especially when we’re navigating seasons of compassion fatigue or feeling overwhelmed by the demands of caring for others.

Building a supportive community of fellow believers gives us a network of encouragement, accountability, and shared experiences. Whether it’s through small groups, prayer partners, mentorship relationships, or simply gathering with like-minded friends, surrounding ourselves with a supportive community can be a source of strength and renewal during challenging times. When we’re feeling fatigued, our community can help us by listening without judgment or condemnation, praying for us, and providing practical support. They can also offer fresh perspectives, wise counsel, and empathy from their own struggles and victories. Together, we can bear one another’s burdens and share in each other’s joys.

Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” So, we shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to our church family or Christian friends when we’re feeling weary or burdened, as well as during good times. Together, we can help each other find encouragement and renewed strength to continue walking in compassionate service to others.

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5. Practice gratitude.

Gratitude is a powerful antidote to the weariness and discouragement that can accompany compassion fatigue. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have been given, helping us develop a mindset of abundance and contentment. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, the Bible urges us to “give thanks in all circumstances,” reminding us that gratitude is not dependent on our circumstances but is a choice we make regardless of our situation.

Developing an attitude of gratitude involves intentionally recognizing and appreciating the blessings God is constantly pouring into our lives, even when we’re dealing with challenges. When we take time to thank God for his loving generosity, it renews our perspective and fills us with a sense of awe at God’s goodness. So, intentionally looking for God’s wonder can help us practice gratitude. As we marvel at God’s wondrous, we are filled with gratitude that renews our energy and motivation to serve God wholeheartedly.

Psalm 136:1 declares: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Practicing gratitude is not about ignoring or minimizing the challenges we face but about choosing to focus on the blessings that surround us. It helps us to shift our perspective from concern to contentment. As we practice gratitude, we become more resilient in the face of adversity, finding strength and hope in the midst of difficult circumstances. There is always something to be thankful for. So, let’s make a habit of thanking God for our blessings each day, no matter what. The burden of our compassion fatigue will lighten when we do. 

In conclusion, compassion fatigue is a real challenge we can deal with when we’re engaged in ministry and caring for others – but it doesn’t have to cause us to quit. We can overcome compassion fatigue by taking a break to focus on our well-being and ask God and our fellow believers for help. It’s important not to ignore compassion fatigue and suffer burnout. Whenever we recognize that we’re feeling stressed and tired, we simply need to seek the renewal we need. Even Jesus took time to rest and recharge. So, let’s follow his example to rise above compassion fatigue and continue to love and serve others well.

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