Hot springs at Tabacon Thermal Resort, La Fortuna.
Hot springs at Tabacon Thermal Resort, La Fortuna.
Compassion Fatigue: When Helping Others Leaves You Drained
Ministry is about serving others, but constant giving can leave us feeling empty. Compassion fatigue happens when we pour out so much that we neglect our own renewal. Even Jesus, after ministering to the crowds, would retreat to be with the Father (Luke 5:16).
Signs of Compassion Fatigue
- Emotional Numbness – Instead of feeling empathy, you find yourself detached. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to “guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
- Increased Irritability or Frustration – If small things set you off, it may be a sign you’re emotionally depleted. James 1:19 encourages us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
- Neglecting Your Own Spiritual Life – Pouring into others without refilling leads to burnout. Jesus said, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you” (John 15:4).
How to Guard Against Compassion Fatigue
- Stay Connected to the Source – Spend time in God’s presence daily (Psalm 46:10).
- Share the Load – Like Moses appointing leaders (Exodus 18:17-23), don’t carry burdens alone.
- Practice Self-Care Without Guilt – Taking care of yourself enables you to care for others more effectively.
God calls us to serve, but He never intended for us to do so at the cost of our own well-being.
PROGRESS UPDATE
- Surprise! We have moved! We were about to make an offer on a cute little condo to use for hosting when God dropped an alternative in our lap. In the space of three days, we had friends decide they were leaving the area for good, we agreed to rent the house they had been in, and we backed out of our (not-yet-submitted) offer to purchase the other condo. One week later, we were moving in!
- We will be returning to the US in June to do fundraising for Rock 61:2 and to reconnect with friends and family. If you are in Arizona, Wisconsin, or Florida, we would love to say hi!
- Later this week, we are hosting our first missionary family! We are excited to finally be serving others, as it has taken 18 months to prepare for this moment!
- Pray that we would get our new guest space prepared quickly and figure out the final details to make it feel like home.
Video of the week
Book of the week
A Shepherd’s Look at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller offers a unique and deeply personal perspective on one of the Bible’s most beloved passages. Drawing from his own experience as a shepherd, Keller unpacks the imagery of Psalm 23, explaining the profound ways in which God, as the Good Shepherd, cares for His people. He provides insight into the behavior of sheep and the responsibilities of a shepherd, illustrating how each verse reflects God’s provision, guidance, and protection. This book helps readers gain a richer understanding of God’s love and faithfulness, offering comfort and encouragement through the lens of a shepherd’s daily life.
Something cool about Costa Rica
Completed in 1902, the Río Grande Railway Bridge stands as the tallest railway bridge in Central America and the highest bridge in Costa Rica, towering 340 feet above the river. The bridge’s main span stretches 448 feet (137 meters), making it a remarkable feat of early 20th-century engineering.
