Minister Sonya Hosey, Contributing Writer

In a recent Beacons of Hope interview with Dr. T in Florida, I shared what many clergy quietly wrestle with: the disconnect between serving faithfully and living fully. Too often, churches focus on spiritual strength while ignoring holistic health—leaving leaders, especially women, exhausted and overlooked.

The Issue:
We lead well but live weary. Ministry becomes performance. We pour into others while neglecting ourselves. God is not impressed with burnout—He desires obedience that includes honoring the body and mind He gave us.

The Action:
Leadership begins in private. If your public ministry thrives while your personal health crumbles, it’s time to realign. God’s order is spirit, soul, and body—not title, task, and to-do list.

Start with permission: permission to rest, to feel, to heal.

• Spiritually: Return to God as His child, not just His worker.
• Emotionally: Create space for counseling, sisterhood, and reflection.
• Physically: Sleep, nourish, and move—your body is sacred.

Scripture:
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit…? Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19 –  20

3 Tips to Move Forward:

1. Prioritize rest as obedience.
2. Seek professional and spiritual support.
3. Establish boundaries that protect your temple.

When you lead from a whole place, you don’t just carry a title—you carry transformation.