Jul 19, 2018 | Abuse, Anger, Bitterness, Depression, Difficult people, Disappointment, discouragement, Emotional Health, Family, Forgiveness, friendship, Loneliness, Relationships, Stress
“Lord, I’m hurting this morning.” Ever prayed that prayer before, or some version of it? I’m not talking about physical pain here—rather, about emotional pain. Especially the variety that issues from disappointing relationships. You know, the kind of pain that feels...
Jul 5, 2018 | Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Emotional Health, Perfectionism, Stress
I am a recovering perfectionist. It was circa 1997. I was in a pre-service prayer room, getting ready to speak to a group of about one hundred teenagers. I was pleading with God for twenty agonizing minutes to help me, use me; praying like I was trying to wrench...
Jun 28, 2018 | Anxiety, Burnout, Calling, Career, Depression, Emotional Health, Fatigue, Rest, Stress, Uncategorized, Workaholism
I have several friends who suffer with Arterial Fibrillation or A-fib. With A-fib, the heart’s upper chambers (atria) beat out of coordination with the lower chambers (ventricles). Another word used to describe A-fib is arrythmia. Arrhythmia is a problem with...
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...
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...
Feb 22, 2018 | Burnout, Calling, Career, Emotional Health, Leadership, Ministry Leader, Missionary, Pastor, Rest, Stress, Trust, Uncategorized, Workaholism
I am fed up. According to an extensive Barna research study of 14,000 U.S. lead pastors, published in January 2017, 37% of lead pastors are at medium to high risk of burnout. 43% are at medium to high relational risk with their spouses. A whopping 66% say they have...
