Leaders, pray for a support system that genuinely cares.

Upon hearing about the Pastor who took his life, I immediately begin to weep.

As a leader myself, I do understand the weight of ministry that can overwhelm you.

I also know the fear of reaching out to get help from others in leadership and having your life issues spread throughout the Body of Christ or used as blackmail to keep you in control.

I know how it feels to have those who say they are praying for you laugh and mock you, because you are facing challenges.

I know how it feels to put others before you, sometimes losing your own personal possessions, only to have them be ungrateful after you have went out your way to secure their comfort.

I know how it feels to walk the floor all night, interceding for the success happiness healing and deliverance of someone who then turns on you, because they feel like you’re not doing enough for them.

See the burden of leading people can be so heavy, until you feel like you’re being crushed that you don’t have a life and often you feel alone, unappreciated, and sometimes have a feeling of being stuck, serving people who won’t pick up a piece a paper to help you.

Leaders are often misjudged because of the image people create in their minds, that they want their leader to be.

Some are demanding of that leader’s time, and if not given, they rail accusations against the leader.

Many leaders have to endure those who talk to them with such disrespect and contempt, that dishonor their leadership’s ability and that causes discord between them and the others whom they serve.

So many leaders are walking away from ministry and running away and starting over their lives where nobody knows them, so that they won’t have to endure the hardship of leading people who hurt them constantly.

Can I tell you, that this year I had to make some crucial changes myself, because my health was being compromised because of the weight of leading people who attacked me every chance they could, or those that pretended to help me, but instead betrayed me, or dealing with those who didn’t understand the changes that God had brought me to.

You have to endure the finger pointing when you start elevating and being blessed, or you make life changes that causes you to change your associations in ministry, because you got tired of the jealousy attacks aimed at you, because the doors of favor God has given you.

I’ve counseled so many in leadership who wanted to kill themselves, or kill those who had wounded them.

If only people could truly understand the weight of the warfare that leaders endure.

The times they feel like they have failed someone who then may leave the ministry or backslide, because they take each person as a personal responsibility.

Yes, as leaders, we need somebody we can trust, but with ministry being so cutthroat, many are afraid to search out the godly advice and wisdom that can help them, or to reveal to somebody that they need help and support, because they are feeling lost and overwhelmed.

It took me saying, “I refuse to let people kill me!” and realizing that I was giving so much of me, until I didn’t have anything left for myself!

I have learned to eliminate as much warfare as I can. Now I am weighing relationships to see if they are my assignment, or do I send them to another.

I’m seeing if it’s stressing me out, or is it a legal burden I’m suppose to carry.

I’m asking God is it a distraction or a true covenant.

Sometimes, we do as leaders, take on things we shouldn’t, trying to save the whole world.

I’m learning to remain in my lane and not cross over into somebody else’s!!

Leaders, please learn how to take time and relax. Build the ministry so that it can survive even if you’re not there, because you need time to refuel rebuild and be restored.

It’s not a sin for you to take a vacation, or just some time to yourself.

Find what makes you happy and take time to do it.

I have found out in these last five years that some people don’t care about a person’s well being, as long as they are getting what they need from the leader, even if it’s at that leaders expense. They will wear you out and watch you die and move on to somebody else.

People, don’t let Ministry take you to a early death. You are the people support but not their God.

Teach them that and how to deal with their own issues so they won’t make it seem like you are responsible for taking care all their needs.

Love you,

~ Apostle Barbara R. Thomas

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Apostle Barbara R. Thomas is founder of I Come to Heal Ministries, A Woman’s touch Ministry, The Next Dimension Global Outreach Ministries and Spoken Word School of Ministry and is on a mission, traveling the world, proclaiming the Gospel, for souls to be won to the Kingdom of God. She has life mandate to help bring others to their divine purpose.

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