May 31, 2018 | Anger, Bitterness, Depression, Emotional Health
We live in an angry world. The age of outrage. Is it just me, or do people in general seem angrier than ever? A husband remarked to his wife one day, “When I get mad at you, you never fight back. How do you control your anger? His wife replied, “I clean the toilet.”...
May 17, 2018 | Anger, Burnout, Depression, discouragement, Emotional Health, Fatigue, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Pastor's Spouse, Rest, Stress, Uncategorized, Workaholism
“John I’m feeling depressed.” In my line of work, I often hear those words. Having experienced major depression two decades ago, when someone tells me they’re feeling depressed, I wonder: are they having a couple of bad days in a row—or are they dealing with...
May 3, 2018 | Abuse, Anger, Bitterness, Difficult people, Emotional Health, Forgiveness, friendship, Relationships, Uncategorized
One of the hardest things to do in life is to forgive a person who has deeply wounded you. When a somebody attacks us, forgiveness is not usually the first thing on our mind. For some of us, our initial impulse may be to retaliate. For others of us, we may tend...
Apr 26, 2018 | Burnout, Calling, Depression, Emotional Health, Fatigue, Leadership, Loneliness, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Rest, Stress, Uncategorized, Work, Workaholism
Emotions can be funny things. Some people let their emotions control them. Others refuse to acknowledge they even possess emotions. Some leaders, to their own peril, ignore the important role a full emotional tank plays in longevity. According to a Barna Study of...
Apr 5, 2018 | Burnout, Calling, Depression, Emotional Health, Fatigue, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Rest, Uncategorized, Workaholism
The rhythmic pounding of ocean waves might be one of the most relaxing sounds God ever created. A couple of weeks ago, Laura and I spent a week vacationing in sunny, warm Florida. (Michigan weather, please get a clue). We took in Venice Beach on a windy day, and the...
Mar 29, 2018 | Burnout, Depression, Emotional Health, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Uncategorized
“My life is over!” It was a bone-chilling night in November 1992. Weeks of little-to-no sleep combined with a lack of appetite due to excessive anxiety finally came to a head. My emotions were spinning out of control, I was suicidal, and contemplating the least...
