In his book, The Emotionally Healthy Leader, Peter Scazzero focuses on the importance of cultivating a strong inner life. As a pastor, author, and the founder of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, he contends doing so will transform the church, organization, and teams you lead.

Proper attention to the development of an inner life of prayer, reflection, and emotional health is vital for all Christians. As Christian leaders, if we are not focusing on this, deficiencies arise that prove detrimental in all areas of our lives. In the Leading from Alignment podcast this week, John and Jim had a very frank discussion regarding several poignant quotes in the book. You can check out the episode here. But today I want to specifically focus on one quote from the book and podcast:

“Spiritual deficits typically reveal themselves in too much activity.”

This may come as a bit of a gut punch to many of us who serve and lead in ministry. We are constantly doing the work of the Kingdom, right? This is God’s activity we are busying ourselves with. It couldn’t possibly be because we’re lacking in our connection to Him, could it?

Please note that we are not saying all activity is bad. However, it is possible we are using the activity to mask other issues which may be symptomatic of spiritual deficiencies. If we find ourselves buried by too much activity, perhaps it would be good to step back and evaluate whether said activity falls into any of the following categories:

Busyness as a Distraction:

Are you filling your calendar to avoid dealing with something? Sometimes, when we are spiritually depleted, we may fill our lives with excessive activity to avoid facing deeper issues. If all the white space is filled, there is no time for silence and solitude. It’s often in quiet moments that we focus on our deeper mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. Busyness can serve as a distraction from dealing with issues needing to be addressed.

Overworking to Find Worth:

People who are spiritually disconnected may seek validation and worth in their productivity rather than their identity in Christ. Activity becomes a substitute for inner peace and fulfillment. A spiritually healthy person maintains a balance between “being” and “doing.” When deficits are present, the focus tends to shift toward too much toward “doing,” with little time for simply “being” a child of God. This imbalance can lead to exhaustion and a lack of genuine joy or peace.

Lack of Genuine Connection with Others:

Excessive activity can also affect relationships. Jamming your schedule full leaves little room for cultivating friendship. Spiritual deficits often lead us to focus solely on tasks rather than people, leading to shallow connections. This makes it difficult to foster true community with others and true intimacy with God.

If you find your excessive activity falls into any of those categories, it may be time to refocus on cultivating your inner life to a new level. Create time and space to practice presence with God. Prayer, worship, Bible reading, and quiet contemplation are things we must do to begin deepening our inner life with God. Time spent with Him is necessary for spiritual health and renewal.

If you are in a spot where too much activity may be indicative of spiritual deficiencies, the solution often lies in pausing, reflecting, and intentionally creating space for spiritual growth and restoration. Begin by taking time today!

We’re rooting and praying for you,

Jaime