I find it an irony of adulthood that the childhood commands, “stop, drop and roll” have morphed into oft used, although ineffective, tools for those facing personal, financial, and spiritual trials. Overwhelmed and under-appreciated, many workers and volunteers emotionally revert to an updated version of the childhood directives:

Stop communicating out of fear of offending anyone, even those we love.

Drop out of activities we previously enjoyed and responsibilities we previously embraced.

Roll into a figurative fetal position of fear and inaction.

And yes, these behaviors might temporarily smother the flames but they will not extinguish the fire. 2020 with its polarizing political rhetoric and the COVID pandemic exacerbated our stress levels like athletes binging on steroids.

Given the seriousness of today’s topic, you may wonder why I added the somewhat humorous sub-title, “Burnout is not a Way to Keep Warm.” The answer is simple: people learn more and retain longer if they are enjoying themselves. Discussing even serious topics with laughter does not minimize the pain of a life out of balance. But like the proverbial spoonful of sugar, laughter does help the medicine go down. And most importantly, it’s biblical: “A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs: 17:22).

Trust me friends, you do not want dry bones. It’s a sign of death. You show me a person who has lost their ability to laugh and I’ll show you a person who is on emotional life support.

At the height of the COVID epidemic, pro-life workers, volunteers and leaders were defined by many as “non-essential.” How demoralizing. How demeaning. Those who made, shipped and sold baby products were widely considered essential but the people saving babies were considered as disposable as the babies they were dedicated to saving. Our secular society offered political and financial support to abortion centers (aptly described in John 10:10 as, “The thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”) Meanwhile, the same people declared financial and political warfare on those who protect the very children God knitted together in their mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). The definition of the pro-life movement as “non-essential” was designed to demoralize the very warriors who stand between life and death for the most vulnerable.

How sad. How crazy. How evil.

We are doing God’s work and we must cling to his promise that He will never fail us. He holds us tightly when we weep, He picks us up when we fail and He rejoices with us every time a precious child breathes his or her first breath.

When the burden of stress and burnout threatens to send your life spinning out of control, remember the new and improved version of Stop! Drop! And Roll!

Stop listening to the attacks of the world. Turn off the turbulent chatter and embrace the peace of a quiet prayer time. “Be Still and Know that I am God” Psalm 46:10.

Drop the unrealistic burden of being all things to all people. Focus on those things that glorify God, restore your family, and clarify your calling.

Roll with the punches. God doesn’t promise us an easy life. What God promises us is far more valuable: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest” (Psalm 119:13).

God promises us eternal life. He promises to bring justice in His own way, in His own time. (…and lest we forget… Stop Drop and Roll will be totally ineffective against the fires raging around those who reject God’s mercy and grace.)

If you are a part of the pregnancy help community experiencing a struggle right now, please know this: Your burnout and discouragement are real and understandable. Your life is stretched and pulled like ill-fitting masks at a Zumba class.

Nonetheless, you must not give up or give in. God has called you to this work and he will equip you. One step at a time, one day at a time, one life at a time….you make a difference.

Check out this article on Heartbeat International’s website here.

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WISCONSIN: Her topic, “If We Share The Vision—Why Do We Argue” was timely and appropriate for our audience. I was personally impressed with her knowledge of the current issues that we are facing.

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*Participants will learn:

• How diverse personalities handle change and stress
• How to use your personality strengths to overcome challenge
• How to manage your limitations and improve your efficiency

XTRAMART CONVENIENCE STORES: “We have never had a guest speaker capable of educating and entertaining a group of our size as you did. Every person in the room was touched in some way or another by your seminar. Audience participation was superb! The manner in which you added humor to your discussions was a great plus!”

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In this workshop you will also learn:

• Ways in which men and women communicate differently: “Equal but different”
• How to dissent without destroying the team: “Staying effective while standing alone”
• Who is pushing your buttons: “He who angers you, controls you.”

VIRGINIA: “I haven’t been able to get anything done since your speech of Tuesday morning. There are so many calls, e-mails and personal notes about ‘that wonderful speaker.’ And it’s hard to walk down the hall because I get stopped by people who want to talk about your impact on them. It’s absolutely a great way to start a school year, and I thank you sincerely for sharing your experiences, your travails, your good spirit and your humor.”

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ANCHORAGE ALASKA: “The gift of humor cannot be overrated. Sometimes speakers are afforded light laughter as sort of a professional courtesy. The out loud laughs that Tamara Hall elicited were genuine and earned.”

President, Montana Association of Realtors: “You are a dynamo. Listening to you is like a ride on an emotional roller coaster….What a thought-provoking, powerful speaker.“

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TAMARA IS THE MASTER OF THE ASK: HER COMMITMENT TO LIFE TRANSLATES INTO SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING AT BANQUETS AND CONVENTIONS.

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A CALL TO acceptance: “Every baby is a miracle, uniquely created by a sovereign God.” Tamara weaves the rewards of raising a special child with the humor and joy of motherhood. “Would you make the cut?” she asks, realizing, “We are all imperfect. Some people just wear their disabilities on the outside. Are you willing to accept a world where only the perceived flawless are worthy of life?”

A CALL TO kindness: “The women who believed the lie are also victims of abortion.” Tamara’s previous pro-choice stance was changed by a Christian woman who presented the hard truth wrapped in mercy. “Women who accepted the lies are wounded and must be treated with God’s limitless grace.”

A CALL TO stay faithful: “Through Christ, life conquered death: With Christ, life will conquer abortion.” Tamara’s deep faith brings joy to her message of fighting the good fight.

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Tamara now focuses on encouraging women to embrace the joys of being a woman whether a mother, grandmother, friend, worker, wife, divorcee, single or widowed.

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Illinois: “We were truly touched by Tamara’s stories and sense of humor. She shared important life lessons that we all need to be reminded of.”

Stampin’ UP! Utah: “Thank you again for the absolutely fabulous job you did for us. Our demonstrators were laughing, crying and laughing again during your presentation. But more importantly they went home with solid information regarding how to manage conflicts and how to identify and deal with various personality types.”

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“I pray a little, worry a lot,
Play a little, hurry a lot.
Help me Lord remove the blocks,
From this road I choose to walk.”
– Tamara “Tammy” Hall

NEW CASTLE, KANSAS: “Your presentation was a blast of belly-laughing humor, motivational direction and a sprinkle of divine guidance. Numerous people commented, ‘I cannot remember when I laughed so hard’ or ‘It seemed like she was talking directly to me and my problems.’”

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