“Have you lost your love for the people?” asked a friend.

Surprised by the question, I took some time to think about my recent interactions with people. I did not like the results. Instead of enjoying those relationships as before, I now found myself frustrated and worn out. I had lost my love for the people. What once had been a gift and joy now felt like a burden. 

From time to time, my friend will still ask me how I’m doing loving people. It’s a great cue to think about how I’m doing and if I’m taking care of myself so I can serve others well. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and the second is like it, to love your neighbor as yourself. 

Here are some things I need to check when I feel my love for the people waning:

1. Take the time to be honest with myself and realize something needs to change, instead of pushing through. 
2. Keep first things first. If I’m to love God and love people, how is my relationship with Him? Am I keeping Him first in all things and the center of all I do, think, and am each day? How do I find Him? What things bring life? 
3. Look at my activities and schedule. Is it too full? Do I need to delete something? Delegate it? Or defer it to another time? It doesn’t all have to be done today or right now. Am I being realistic with my time, energy , and resources?
4. Maintain an attitude of gratitude, not taking anything for granted. 
5. Take a break. This could be a fifteen minutes pause in the afternoon for a cup a tea, a full day off from all work or ministry, and or a longer retreat or vacation. Our electronic devices need to be turned off from time to time to function properly and so do
6. Get enough sleep. It is amazing what getting a regular amount of sleep can do. I’ve discovered over the last few years that I need much more than I thought, 8-9 hours a night. I’ve resisted that at times because of all the things to do, but I’ve discovered if I respect that time I am a more loving, gracious person to myself and others. Getting enough sleep is not a waste of time but a gift for myself and everyone else. It’s also a reminder that He’s in control and working even when I’m asleep. 
7. Keep up the spiritual disciplines and other things I need to take care of myself spiritually and emotionally.
8. Exercise. Did you know that 45 minutes of vigorous exercise is equivalent to taking a Prozac? Don’t leave this important part out of your day. In fact, it will give you extra energy and focus to do what you need to do during the day.
9. Eat well. I can get busy and not eat enough which can lead to hanger. Those snicker’s commercials don’t lie! Eating the right foods really fuel my body to go a long way to helping me love others well. 
10. Keep good boundaries of working and resting, not bringing work into my time in the evenings or weekends to give myself the time and space to be still, enjoy time with family or friends, or do something else that will be life giving so I can later be life giving to others. 

I’m still working on some of these areas, what about you? How are you doing loving people? Is there anything else you do? I’d love to hear from you.