As we companion with people in the mentoring journey, it becomes vital that we guide people in all areas of their lives.
Previously we’ve considered the importance of our mentees having a healthy balanced life in their physical, social, financial, mental, spiritual and we began on their emotional lives.
Today, some key ingredients for creating emotional health in our mentees.
First, the problem. Many people have been suffering from trauma through restrictions, isolation, health and economic impact due to Covid. As we meet with people, now more than any other time, we need to be aware of their emotional needs. Emotional depletion leads to potential for burnout, distraction from ministry pathways, marriage and family disruption. It can affect all areas of our lives.
So, if that’s the problem, what’s the solution as mentors?
I’m glad you asked 🙂
There are three key ingredients that can assist us as we mentor people. They are essential for us and essential for us to share with others. These ingredients arose out of my research interviewing over 1500 people from various cultures and backgrounds and drawing from 100 Bible verses and 200 related texts. Yet they can be distilled into three common sense, practical ingredients.
1. Authenticity – being honest to ourself and honest to God.
It starts with us as mentors. Then, as we mentor our clients, we can guide them to a place of authenticity as well. We can’t hide from God. Adam & Eve discovered that in the Garden of Eden. Yet continually since then, many of us have tried to hide from God. Now more than ever, we need to have authenticity between ourself and God guiding our mentees to do the same.
2. Transparency and vulnerability
In order to create emotionally healthy mentees and to be emotionally healthy ourselves, we need to develop a circle of support and trusted group of Christian friends. Ask your mentee: apart from yourself, who do they have to turn to as a person of support and trusted Christian friend to share with? By developing these relationships, the opportunity for emotional health is greatly increased.
3. Community
The third key ingredient which helps to create emotional healthy mentees, and for ourself, is a community where we can be authentically ourselves using our gifts in a way that is meaningful and where we feel valued for who we are; a place where we belong. Guide your mentee to such a place. Perhaps a church, small Christian community or meaningful small group. Belonging to such a community contributes powerfully towards creating emotional health.
May you experience great joy as you assist your mentee to create emotional health. Through this they’re likely to flourish and be fruitful for the Kingdom.
More on that next time.
Brian
Rev Dr Brian Birkett
Springboard Consulting