Tag: Rest

Recovery

Think about the process of recovering from surgery.

Time and rest are involved. The body’s ability to recover is amazing, but healing requires time and getting the appropriate rest.

Repair prevents permanent damage. The design and purpose of recovery is to prevent problems of an irreparable nature.

Recovery requires following the physician’s instructions. We often overlook this point. The expert advice of a physician is critical to recovery.

If we follow the necessary steps for recovery, in the long run we can become stronger.

The same is true as spiritual leaders who need to recover from the battles of leading people through difficult and challenging times.

A Leader’s Respite

Respite involves a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.

The type of rest or relief needed in highly stressful times is not a weekend get away, although such is helpful along the way. The type of rest or relief needed involves time away from all responsibilities associated with the difficult or unpleasant situation.

The greatest challenge is recognizing when this period of rest or relief is needed. Identifying those times in our lives can be subjective and may require assistance from others who are close to the situation.

Regardless, it is vital for leaders to identify these times and take respite.

Investing in Leadership

How are you investing in the future of leadership?

We should think about the daily approach to leadership on several levels. What stands out as necessary for leaders to consider as a daily investment?

Pray…
Look at the goal…
Share the plan…
Help someone…
Read, grow, learn personally…
Take a few minutes for yourself…
Listen closely…
Rest…

We may even practice a few of these on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis. Never let a day go by without making these a part of your life in some way as a spiritual leader.

It is an investment with imperishable returns.

Need for Rest…

Throughout the gospels, we find times where Jesus took the apostles aside to rest.

Leaders can easily get caught up in work, and fail to get the needed rest to reflect, relax, and renew. As hard as this can be, it is necessary to adequately prepare for the challenges leaders face.

A few simple ideas will help.

1) Plan a day, at least every other week, to rest.
2) Turn the phone off for the day and go somewhere peaceful.
3) Ask God to provide rest to strengthen our service.
4) Spend time alone with family.

We improve with a little rest.