Leadership Journal

For more from Bob I highly recommend his first book, When Life's Not Working: 7 Simple Choices for a Better Tomorrow.

Ministry is about Balance and I was there and had to rely on my Faith, Friends & Family and at times they were not there. Book call "Running on empty"..God became my source. I remember asking God for a fast and my Bishop called a Fast on Tuesday and Thursday to 12noon the next day. It bless me!!!thought wife and I was going opposite direction,kids was tripping, job trippin, ministry staff with titles was trippin. But the wilderness experience has a way of humbling us. truly a potter house experience. Thank God for HIs Grace and Me rcy. BUT=Before U Trip...God had it all under control, then get a call from a friend in the ministry and had to minister to him, by wilderness experience.

Bob, thanks so much for such an honest and helpful article. 4 years ago I had a break down and ended up off work (I am a pastor) for 16 months. Living in the UK I was fortunate, through the National Health Service, to come under the care of a wonderful clinical psychologist. I told her I doubted I could change. But, with her patient guidance, I am a new person and a new pastor. I have changed almost everything in my life: the way I prepare, the way I visit, the way I lead. It's just an excuse to say we cannot change. We can; but we will need professional help to do so. But find the right helper and the reward for your humility is you get your life and your ministry back - and you can begin to enjoy them both again.

Excellent article. Thanks for your honesty. And your daughter sounds amazing.

You know what's scary? Having already become that monster, more or less, at the age of 26.