Book Reviews, Christian Living, Leadership Insights

Let's Connect

I would love to hear from you. Feel free to drop us a DM and we will get back to you within 2 business days.

Additional Topics

Come Out of the Shadows to be an Emotionally Healthy Leader

Peter Scazzero’s book The Emotional Healthy Leader covers significant facets of a leader’s life to ensure effective and spiritually healthy leadership. He reminds ministry leaders that while you might be working so hard to grow the Kingdom and serve others, that can be very dangerous if you do not have some fundamental and foundational boundaries. In Matthew 9:35-38, Jesus reminds us that there are few laborers.

Yet, Scazzero reminds us that we must build a sabbath into our ministry and not get blinded by focusing on the limited laborers and taking too much on. I am surrounded by people whose identity is in their work. And I’m not even talking about people in vocational ministry. Coming from a place of scarcity, or, as Scazzero calls it, their shadow, are workaholics. While some view it as a work ethic, it could also come from a place of fear.

I try to keep Sunday holy and not work unless there is an exception. What convicted me with Scazzero’s sabbath argument was that I focused on “paid work” and not “unpaid work” or chores I neglected during the week or even seminary classwork. Sabbath was made for man (Mark 2:27) so we/I could reconnect with the Lord. Scazzero also suggested making fun lists to go through so that, as a believer, I can reconnect with the Creator through the glory of His creation.

Scazzero also recommends that we/I work out of the strength in my marriage. He argues that you cannot healthily serve the Lord if your marriage (or singleness) is dying. I can attest to this. In all my discipleship training, keeping the vertical relationship is the first priority, and then the second is your spouse. Keeping this priority right, I have found my marriage a source of life and encouragement vs. draining and contentment. I also agree with Scazzero that being one, you have more strength and power to do ministry together versus a he/she dynamic.

Establishing healthy boundaries is vital to protecting your marriage/singleness and sabbath. Scazzero suggests writing these down to plan what to walk out of clearly. He also suggests revisiting them periodically to ensure they are honored and achieving the desired outcomes.

The final item that resonated was properly understanding your shadow as it affects your marriage and work. Scazzero calls it a shadow as your brokenness and developmental traumas follow you around. A healthy understanding of your journey and what affects your emotions and actions is key to your spiritual formation. There is hope that the brightness of Jesus’ light removes the prominence of my shadow.

To be a healthy leader, you need to understand and practice these key takeaways. As I have personally added these practices to my walk, I have seen the fruit and growth in my walk with the Lord and my relationship addressing these. While I realize I still have ways to go, Scazzero has great wisdom to help in spiritual growth and spiritual formation.

Randy is an IT consulting executive with an MBA from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and a Master of Arts in Christian Leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary, where he is pursuing a Doctor of Educational Ministry in Discipleship, Mentoring, and Coaching. As a certified giftedness coach trained by Bill Hendricks and The Giftedness Center, Randy helps evangelical executives and organizational leaders discover and align their leadership with their divine design. He also provides one-on-one mentoring to help men faithfully walk out their faith in the workplace and in life.

Feeling Successful but Unfulfilled?

Many executives and organizational leaders feel this disconnect. You weren't designed to perform. You were created with unique giftedness that transforms both satisfaction and impact.

Discover your God-given design through our proven giftedness coaching.

Related Articles

The Beautiful Diversity of Spiritual Gifts: Equipping the Body of Christ

The body of Christ is a vibrant and interconnected tapestry woven together by the unique spiritual gifts given to believers by the Holy Spirit. Each gift expresses God’s grace, designed to equip the Church and advance His Kingdom. Below, we explore 16 spiritual gifts,...

Building Teams That Flourish

When you understand your team’s giftedness, you stop forcing square pegs into round holes and start creating environments where people naturally excel.

Evangelism Reframed: Starting Where God Started

In many circles, evangelism begins with Genesis 3, with sin, brokenness, and separation from God. The approach is valid, but I would like to challenge you on the starting point for evangelism. When we open with, “You are a sinner in need of saving,” we bypass the foundational truth of Scripture’s opening movement, that we were made in the image of God, for relationship, purpose, and flourishing. For those in positions of leadership and influence, this reframed approach is not only theologically faithful, but it is strategically wise.

Why Emotional Intelligence is Biblical Wisdom Rediscovered

What if emotional intelligence isn’t secular wisdom imposed on faith, but biblical wisdom that secular research has rediscovered?

Provide Biblical Wisdom to Love on Your Disciple

When you disciple somebody, are you leaning on personal wisdom or providing Biblical wisdom that speaks to where they are and what they might be struggling with?

From Career Success to Kingdom Impact

Discover how God designed you for Kingdom impact right where you are, no career change required as the Lord placed you where you are.

What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple of Christ?

Welcome to our six-part series on discipleship, where we’ll dive deep into what it truly means to follow Jesus, be transformed by Him, and live out His mission. In today’s church culture, the word “discipleship” is often used but rarely fully understood. This 6-part...

Fasting is Bigger Than Just Missing a Meal

When you think of fasting, what comes to mind? It can be more than just missing a meal and help you reconnect deeper with the Lord.

Leading Communion: A Guide to Reverence and Renewal

Communion – also known as the Eucharist – is more than a remembrance; it is a sacred act of worship that has been observed for millennia. As a small group leader, you have the privilege of guiding your group into a holy moment where Christ is exalted, hearts are examined, and grace is received.

Hesed in Real Life: Commitment, Grace, and Love in Action

Hesed is more than kindness—it’s the unshakable, covenantal love of God that anchors us, transforms community, and finds its fullness in Christ.

Why Talented Executives Still Burn Out: The Giftedness Gap

Why Talented Executives Still Burn Out: The Giftedness Gap

You’ve built skills, climbed the ladder, and achieved success. Yet something feels fundamentally off. The work that should energize you leaves you drained, and your witness suffers because you’re surviving, not thriving. If this describes you, you’re not facing a performance issue; you’re experiencing the giftedness gap: the disconnect between what you can do and what you were created to do.

read more