Relax With Jesus
For most of my life until about age 40 I struggled with anxiety. Almost nobody knew it because I hid it and because much of…
Tag: Ministry Stress
Be Happy-Sad to Come Alive!
We all want to be happy, but that can depress us! A pastor in my counseling office forced a smile, “I’m happy to support our…
Relaxing Your Monkey Brain
Our thoughts can be “like monkeys jumping around in a banana tree,” Henri Nouwen writes. (The full quote is in our article on “Solitude and…
70 Happy Words
Paul uses 70 expressions of joy in his short letter to the Philippians! Seventy! Reading them infects us with his “good virus” of devotion to…
When a Pastor’s Wife Suffers in Silence
Tears welled up in my friend’s eyes, “Some of the elders disapprove of the book I’m reading. They don’t agree with the doctrine.” My friend…
Loving the Leaders Who Hurt You
Reconciling after a breach of relationship requires that you move toward the other with God’s love. This is true in all relationships, including if you…
Church Leaders Who Apologize
“I was forced to resign from my church.” 78% of pastors say this. Often these pastors leave their church hurt and angry, afraid their career…
He Lost His Pulpit and Found His Heart
Empathy. Tender-hearted concern for our feelings. We all need it — especially when we’re hurting. But sometimes we lose touch with our heart’s need. “I…
Bullied By Christian Leaders
Have you ever been bullied by a group? Or felt ganged up on? Maybe it wasn’t intended by them, but you felt abused? I have.…
When You Doubt the Power of Prayer
“God Doesn’t Answer Prayer.” That’s what my friend Pastor Jeff McCrory heard himself say to his small group Bible Study. “My hurt was talking,” he…