🌿 Soul Care for the Chaplain: Guarding the Inner Life

Speaker 1 (Henry):
Next, we’re going to talk about soul care for the chaplain.

We’ve talked about a lot of ministry, but if you lose your soul because you’re too busy or burned out, that’s a problem. We believe that when Christ is in you, you are the hope of glory—but metaphorically speaking, you still need to be healthy and thriving as a chaplain.

Healthy ministries flow from a healthy soul. You can’t pour from an empty vessel. Soul care is stewardship—it’s stewarding God’s presence within you.

Have you ever had a personal crisis related to soul care?

Speaker 2 (Monte):
No major crisis—but I’ve had seasons where I drifted some.

Speaker 1 (Henry):
Right—leaking oil like everyone else.

Speaker 2 (Monte):
Yes—but that’s not an excuse. It’s a fact, but not an excuse.

Speaker 1 (Henry):
Exactly. We have to be very careful here. Grace is never an excuse.

Paul says, “Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound?” Absolutely not.

And when Paul talks about the thorn in his flesh—the messenger of Satan—he says, “When I am weak, then I am strong.”

So we don’t elevate oil leaks, and we don’t elevate perfection either. We’re no different than the truckers we’re ministering to—but we do pay attention to soul care so we don’t burn out.

Speaker 2 (Monte):
We fix the oil leaks. We change the gaskets.

Speaker 1 (Henry):
I love that.

🫙 Receiving Before Giving

Speaker 1 (Henry):
The heart of soul care begins with receiving before giving. What does that mean?

Speaker 2 (Monte):
You can’t give what you don’t have.

Speaker 1 (Henry):
Exactly. God fills us so we can overflow into the lives of others. Ministry is overflow—overflow from time spent with the Lord.

Speaker 2 (Monte):
Your spiritual vitality is your greatest gift to others.

Speaker 1 (Henry):
Who you are matters as much as what you say. A depleted, despairing messenger discredits the message.

Paul says, “You are our letter.” The gospel lived is powerful. Dry orthodoxy—believed in the head but not lived in the heart—doesn’t sustain ministry.

Speaker 2 (Monte):
Who was it that said, “Preach the gospel at all times—when necessary, use words”?

Speaker 1 (Henry):
Exactly.

📖 A Rule of Life for Chaplains

Speaker 1 (Henry):
Let’s talk about a rule of life—developing rhythms of prayer, Scripture, and reflection.

Daily connection with God strengthens daily service. Let your walk with God set the pace for your ministry.

🛌 Rest as Obedience

Speaker 1 (Henry):
Rest is obedience. It’s not laziness—it’s trust in God’s provision. Jesus rested often. God restores perspective and joy through rest.

Let’s talk practically. Chaplaincy can feel like a 24-hour calling. Especially volunteer chaplaincy—you could always be available. So how do you approach rest?

Speaker 2 (Monte):
When you need it—do it.

Some mobile chapels even have recliners. If no one’s coming in and you need to close your eyes, do it. You’ll hear someone walk in.

If your mind is fatigued or distracted, find rest—whatever that means. Drive away and rest. Open God’s Word and be refreshed. Do what you need to do.

Speaker 1 (Henry):
Don’t overthink it—just do it.

🧠 Guarding Emotional Boundaries

Speaker 1 (Henry):
Guard emotional boundaries. You’re called to care, not carry everything. Release burdens to God after every encounter. Healthy empathy prevents compassion fatigue.

I’ve experienced compassion fatigue myself. When I planted my first church, we had 185 people the first Sunday—and I didn’t know any of them.

I remember feeling like a mouse in a maze. Eventually you don’t even want to listen anymore. You feel drained.

Speaker 2 (Monte):
Yes.

Speaker 1 (Henry):
That’s when I learned I needed physical and emotional release. That’s why I took up golf. It’s a walk, it’s humbling, and by the end of nine holes, I felt rested.

I’m not saying replace devotions—but physical rest matters too.

Speaker 2 (Monte):
Develop a hobby.

Speaker 1 (Henry):
Yes. Emotional boundaries. Prayer as renewal.

🕊️ Prayer, Rest, and Relational Support

Speaker 1 (Henry):
Talk to God before talking to others about ministry struggles. Prayer transforms pressure into peace.

Have you ever had days where ministry is going on, and it feels like the whole day you’re in prayer—almost like you’re having an ongoing conversation with God while you’re also talking with people?

Speaker 2 (Monte):
Yes. Some days, some conversations are heavier than others—and you need to do that.

🛑 The Power of Sabbath

Speaker 1 (Henry):
Sabbath rest reconnects you to God’s rhythm of grace. Time away from ministry fills your spiritual reserves. Restoration is a divine command, not an option.

We’ve been talking about that already.

🤝 Spiritual Friendships

Speaker 1 (Henry):
Spiritual friendships matter. Find trusted companions for encouragement and accountability. Ministry can be lonely. Shared prayer restores courage, while isolation increases weakness. Fellowship strengthens us.

I saw that today at lunch with your friends who are here. When they found out you were in Largo—where our ministry is located—and that friends were also in town, it was like two teenagers wanting to hang out with their friends. It made a difference.

Speaker 2 (Monte):
It really does. We may only see them physically once a year, but the connection is still there. We talk throughout the year—by phone, social media—but sitting face to face matters.

Speaker 1 (Henry):
That speaks to creating a support culture—friends who are also in ministry. They understand. They’re going through it too.

I was listening earlier as you talked about how chaplaincy is changing at truck stops—how it used to be one way and now it’s another. Talking about those changes with people who understand restores something in us, doesn’t it?

Speaker 2 (Monte):
It does. Very much so.

✍️ Journaling and Reflection

Speaker 1 (Henry):
Journaling and reflection help process emotions. Writing prayers and experiences becomes a record of God’s faithfulness. Reflection helps us discern patterns of grace and growth.

What do you think about journaling?

Speaker 2 (Monte):
I’m glad you asked. I think journaling is a wonderful tool. I’m not very good at it, but when I do it, it’s calming and restful.

Whether it’s in the morning after devotions or at the end of the day, reflecting on what God has done—it gives you something to look back on. It reminds you of where God has brought you and what He’s done at key intersections in your life.

My advice is: journal. It’s a good habit.

Speaker 1 (Henry):
After teaching this, I feel more encouraged to do it myself. Journaling forces the brain to slow down. It often takes the emotion out of things and helps you see more clearly.

Speaker 2 (Monte):
Yes.

There are many ways to journal. When I read Scripture—especially in the original languages—it helps me focus on specific words, and that often sparks reflection and creativity in my walk with God. Writing from that is powerful.

Again, everyone has their own devotional rhythms. We’re not saying you must journal—but it’s a helpful tool for spiritual growth alongside prayer and Scripture.

🏃 Caring for the Body and Mind

Speaker 1 (Henry):
Healthy habits matter. Physical health supports spiritual endurance. Exercise, sleep, and nutrition are part of faithful stewardship. We glorify God with body, soul, and spirit.

Speaker 2 (Monte):
That can be challenging in ministry—it’s often sedentary. And truck driving especially makes physical health hard.

We met a driver recently who was jump roping in the parking lot. Most drivers don’t do that, but it stood out.

Speaker 1 (Henry):
It makes you wonder—could chaplaincy even include creative physical activities someday? Helping people move, get blood circulating, think holistically.

Not selling things—but serving people in ways no one else is.

🔥 Preventing Burnout

Speaker 1 (Henry):
Burnout happens when we serve beyond our soul’s capacity. Recognize early signs. Return to your first love. Renew your strength through worship and solitude.

Burnout can take you down—but you don’t want to be taken out.

💧 Closing: The Well of Living Water

Speaker 1 (Henry):
Your soul is the well from which ministry flows. Stay filled daily with the Holy Spirit. Let living water flow from within you and refresh the world around you.


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