It’s a common malady that some pastors face.  The dreaded “post pardum” of Monday mornings.  It really doesn’t make sense, and I’ve often asked the Lord why Mondays can be difficult.  Not all of them are, but certainly the days after big weekends (Christmas, Easter, Big Days) can be tough.

Preparing for the long weekend of ministry is much like giving birth.  You have the seed of direction planted in your heart.  It grows quickly as you pray, process and research.  As your baby takes shape, you fine tune and tweak it until you feel it’s just right.  Then, it’s time for delivery.  The butterflies arrive, the nerves are only kept in check by more prayer and meditation.  Let’s be honest.  Some deliveries are better than others.  If you’re like me, the Lord often gives me pictures, or what I call “movie reels” of what He wants done in each worship service.  Leading three services usually means He will show me more than one preview, often as the worship experience is unfolding…different in each service.  Time to preach.  Time to allow the Holy Spirit to take the words off the page, into your heart, through your eyes, your words, your expressions and into the hearts of those who are listening.

It really is quite a dance.  But it really is a beautiful one.

Here’s a few thoughts and ideas on understanding the process and how to recover.

1. Be Thankful.  It is no small thing that you’re called to proclaim the gospel and to care for the sheep of His pasture.  Be thankful that He has chosen you.  Regardless of how difficult the process may be at times, being a pastor really is cool.
2. Trust the anointing.  Whether you are charismatic of orthodox, scripture is clear that the anointing of the Holy Spirit is very real and very necessary.  The anointing equips and carries us to greater effectiveness in ministry.  It’s a powerful thing when we know that the Holy Spirit will fill in every blank and compensate for every weakness we possess.  His supernatural nature is much better than our natural gifts.
3. Don’t let your guard down.  I have experienced first hand that Satan just simply is not happy when God uses us in powerful way on the weekend.  If we let our spiritual guard down, the backlash toward us, our families and staff can be very significant.  There have been times I’ve fought depression, physical sickness and bad attitude…on Mondays and not any other day of the week.  I’ve learned to expect and prepare.  I’ve asked our intercessors to pray specifically each week against the enemy’s backlash and we have seen tremendous results.  ”Be not ignorant of Satan’s devices” and we will be less likely to be blindsided.
4. Refocus quickly.  While I’m always grateful for what just happened on the weekend, I usually move on quickly.  Monday’s are a light day in the office for me, therefore, I find that I can get a big head start on what’s ahead.  The next message, the next event and directions for my staff are very clear for me on Mondays, prior to the busyness of the week beginning.

The work of a pastor is a great thing.  It’s not easy and very often we are the first to have a target on our backs.  Our best weapon against ministry that can quickly overwhelm, is to know that the God who used you yesterday is the same God who has a plan for tomorrow.

So, let’s take advantage of this Monday and look forward to greater things ahead.

Do you sometimes feel the Monday morning blues?  How do you combat it?  Please leave a comment and let’s learn from each other.