• Continue to pray, pray, pray all day long. Never give up believing that God, who sustains you, is behind, beside and in front of you.

• If you’re a pastor who does funerals, consider making the day of the funeral the only thing you do for that day. After the funeral, go for a long walk in the woods, work on your hobby or read a book.

• Don’t allow seven days to go by without one complete day off.

• When you get a note of encouragement or thanks, don’t read it and throw it away. Keep it. Make a file and call it your “encouragement file.” Review it periodically to maintain your perspective during those difficult days.

• Find a friend who can be your sounding board. Process significant ministry stresses.

• Read about the saints in the Bible who were involved in great moments when God worked, but who later went through anger and despair (see Jonah 3-4). Remember you’re not alone.

• If you commute to the office, pick a specific landmark. As you pass that landmark on the way home, mentally release the ministry and embrace your family.

To read more about stress management, read "Ministering to Ministers" and "De-Stress Your Life".

Scott Couchenour is a certified life coach and member of the Christian Coaches Network and American Association of Christian Counselors. He founded Serving Strong, which resources, educates and coaches life balance and self care for ministry professionals. He’s been in ministry more than 20 years – full-time, bi-vocationally and volunteering – and has nearly 20 years of experience as vice president of operations with Cogun Inc. Reach him at coach@progressmax.com or visit www.servingstrong.com.