Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Boundaries”
Our Bible verse for today: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Losing your sense of humor is a warning sign”
In his book “The Insanity of God” author Nik Ripkin writes about what it’s like for missionaries who minister for long periods of time in dangerous locations. He explains that a hostile environment and difficult circumstances take a toll on those serving there and over time, those missionaries begin to burn out. Those who have been appointed to lead and supervise missionaries in those situations have been trained to watch for certain clues which help to reveal that the missionary is reaching a condition of overload and is in need of relief. One of those clues is humor. When a person begins to lose their sense of humor, when they can no longer smile and laugh, it’s time for a break. Nik writes:
“Humor is a powerful indicator of psychological health… When our workers found it impossible to see and respond to humor, it was clear that they were in serious need of emotional relief and healing. When that happened, it was time to retreat and recover.”
The same is true for us. When the pressures of life get to the point that we become grumpy, snippy, even depressed; when we can no longer laugh at ourselves and our situations; when smiling becomes an effort and nothing seems funny anymore; it’s time for some emotional relief.
You may not feel like a break is possible. You might think you don’t have the time, or the money, or someone to watch the kids or to take care of your responsibilities for you. But the truth is that you have to find a way to take that break anyway. Because if you don’t, you could end up like those missionaries who were so stressed and drained that they could no longer care for others. When it gets to that point, if you don’t take a break and take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of others.
When your sense of humor starts to go, that’s a pretty good clue that you’ve had all you can take and it’s time for a break.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 
I am a baptist pastor…64 years..still active at age 81..I just had 2 friends commit suicide this past weekend, and my heart grieves that I could not reach either of these men… one a veteran at 46…a retired businessman at age 75 with a lot to live for, both ended their lives on Friday, and I received two calls in less than 15 minutes ~buried one Saturday and the businessman’s funeral is Tues… Pray for God to speak thru me as he has all these 64 years as a Baptist preacher. Vern Daugherty, @ vern77@charter.net. God Bless: