Let’s take a moment to do a VERY honest self evaluation….
Do you have any of the following characteristics?
#1 - High rates of anxiety
#2 - Trouble sleeping
#3 - Chronic and overwhelming feelings of sadness
#4 - Feelings of hopelessness or even depression
#5 - Panic attacks
#6 - Increasing rates of nervousness
#7 - Anger (so much so you are having imaginary arguments with people in your mind over and over.)
At this point you are probably thinking I am going to say something along the lines of these are seven things that people in leadership positions have identified they struggle with…
…which MAY be true (to an extent); however…
…this is not a list of characteristics describing people in leadership (or ministry) - but rather a list of things people suffer with who have been placed in some sort of solitary confinement.
The best definition I could find for solitary confinement was - “the practice of isolating people in closed cells for 22-24 hours a day, virtually free of human contact, for periods of time ranging from days to decades.”
“But wait,” you may be saying, “the seven characteristics describe many leaders I know—including me!”
Maybe it’s because you feel you are in a state of solitary confinement.
As vast as this world is and as different is people are - one word can be used to describe how most leaders feel—ALONE.
It does not matter how successful a leader is; in fact, often times the more successful leaders becomes the more isolated they feel - because they really begin to question who is with them because they love them…and who is with them because of what they can get from them.
In the Scripture Elijah had an incredible victory on Mt. Carmel in I Kings chapter 18 when he literally called down fire from heaven. However, we see him In I Kings 19:3-4
3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”
Why was he like this?
How did this happen?
Because after the incredible worship service in I Kings 18 (where fire literally fell from heaven) - everyone went home - and he was all alone and even left his servant behind (verse 3) because he didn’t even know who he could trust.
On a personal note - my heart hurts for leaders who feel they are all alone, who secretly are shackled to pain and shame and are confused, literally struggling with whether or not they want to keep going - but feel as if they do not have a safe place (or safe people) to talk to - because - as soon as they do they fear people will try and get rid of them (all in the name of helping them.)
BUT—if they stay silent and do not deal with what is destroying them from the inside - they will self destruct, and, unfortunately, solitary confinement then becomes not merely a feeling but rather a reality as Christians are the only army that leave their wounded to bleed out on the battlefield (often saying they are just getting what they deserve.)
But there IS a way through all of this - and personal destruction doesn’t have to be the way!
This is why I am hosting an online event on Wednesday, March 27 from 9:30 - 12:00 EST entitled, “The Overwhelmed Leader.” (If you can’t make the broadcast time—there are several replay times on that day—as well as on Thursday.)
At this event I will be hitting things head on such as...
7 myths about overwhelmed leaders
10 reasons leaders get overwhelmed
5 dangers of feeling overwhelmed in leadership
5 steps to take to step out of an overwhelmed life.
This event will help ANY leader (in the church or business world) that feels completely overwhelmed to begin to see there is a way out that doesn’t involved a “crash & burn!”
Go here and sign up ASAP - the early bird rate to attend this event is $49 (until Wednesday, March 14—after that it goes up to $79.)
This will be an incredible event to watch with your staff (and have some discussions after) - or - watch by yourself so you can really dig in without worry about others watch your reaction as you take in the information.
I personally think some of the loneliest people on the planet are leaders (especially church leaders.) Because, not only are they expected to lead, but are expected to live perfect lives as well. And—as soon as the perception of perfection begins to fade, often times the result is them being hurt, not helped (thus placing them in the darkness of despair.)
Leaders need safe places - and safe people - where they don’t have to pretend or hide, where they can REALLY express their own hurt, struggles, doubts, concerns and short comings. I am afraid without environments like this, feelings of solitary confinement will continue to increase and cripple leaders at an accelerated rate.
And - I really do believe the Overwhelmed Leader event will be an incredible step in the right direction for so many who really do wrestle with feeling alone and overwhelmed.