In 2025, the United States can feel joined in name only. Talking heads fill twenty-four-hour news stations and social media feeds with issues, causes, laws, and reforms. Regardless of your political leaning, emotions and tensions are high.
Perception is reality.
Reality is a challenge that we lead through.
Post-pandemic, many leaders feel they’re in a cortisol-driven fight, flight, or freeze as they wade through the trending topics to lead givers to make decisions and impact lives.
It’s exhausting.
Personal renewal isn’t just a recommendation; it’s essential.
When I ask, “Hey, what’s your plan for rest? What’s your plan for recovery? What’s your plan to endure well in the months and years ahead?”
I hear, “We’ve got a trip planned. Vacation is on the books.”
There’s a disconnect. Vacation is restful, rejuvenating, and energizing, but vacation is not a plan. It’s just something to do.
I want to clarify specific struggles leaders face, inspire you with a couple of impressive examples, help you think about managing your stress and energy levels, and identify some danger signs.
I’d like to introduce or reaffirm some essential self-leadership skills that help you recover and move forward.
I want to share some familiar scriptures with you, but I want you to look through a different lens—the lens of our current shared reality: exhaustion and overwhelm.
Press.
Jesus became man. He knows what it is to suffer, what it is to feel fear and exhaustion.
In Luke 12:50, Jesus is under immense pressure. He says, “… I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is finished!”
The Greek word for “constraint” is sunecho, which implies pressing in on all sides. Jesus knows what His Father had ahead for him and what He will undergo. The looming darkness presses on Him.
Sound familiar?
The good news? God never leaves us in a pit of suffering.
Consider Hebrews 5:8. “Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered…” God can turn all things broken, stressed, imperfect, lacking situations, people, and problems into beautiful blessings.
Reflect.
Isn’t it a mystery that Jesus himself was learning through suffering?
Suffering is significant for leaders. The pressures we face, the questions we deal with, and our decisions allow us to grow closer to Christ.
We have been sunecho, well-pressed on. And there is a hope that we are learning things; God is shaping us into the image of Jesus through this process.
What have you learned from a season of suffering? What freedom have you found in the challenges? Examining the present by looking for the positive can and will transform your approach toward tomorrow.
Rest.
I love Jesus napping on the boat as it rocks on a wild sea.
The disciples and His followers often expressed frustration at the lack of urgency Jesus showed. Rough waters. Sick children. Dying friends. The masses expected speed.
Jesus says, “Come away with me and rest for a while.”
I have yet to corner the market on the perfect disconnect, the ideal unplugged state, but I know to look to our Savior for the road map.
Give yourself grace. Allow yourself to admit, unlike Jesus, you’re only human. The exhaustion you feel is accurate and justified.
Take a breath and allow yourself room to grieve, gather, and grow seasonally.
Keep moving forward. New wine is ahead.
Please add your contact information to my phone book so I can continue to encourage you personally via text. Yes, it’s me!