Last night I finished reading “The Emotionally Healthy Leader” by Peter Scazerro. Though its theology isn’t great, I did enjoy the book since it proclaimed a truth that you rarely hear.
Leaders must be emotionally healthy as well as spiritually healthy.
Of course, it is important that leaders like Pastors or Missionaries display spiritual maturity. But they also must display emotional maturity with calm and gracious responses to stressful situations.
One part of the book that made me think was when he talked about “facing our shadow.”
The shadow is an emotionally immature response to stressful situations.
- Anger
- Quiet bitterness (you just stop talking)
- Passiveness that won’t stand up and do the right thing
- Saying your fine (but you really aren’t)
- Or avoiding the tough conversations
There are many more illustrations….but you get the idea.
What’s interesting is most of us are clearly aware of our shadow. The emotionally immature response that arises in times of stress. But we prefer to ignore it.
This book has helped me recognize some “shadows” in my relationships, and with the Lords help, conquer them.
Because the Christian life demands not just strong spirituality, but also a strong emotional life.
Johnhwilburn.com 
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