Pete Scazzero is an author, pastor, and speaker. He wrote the book Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, and He leads a church in Queens, New York.

Here is how he described his early years in ministry. He reported three areas of weakness:

First: His ability to spend time with Christ was limited. That time was comprised. There was too much church work to do. He preached sermons, but he had no walk with Christ.

Second: He lacked the ability to be with himself. There was no time for self care. He was busy and out of touch with himself and his own emotional needs. But he stayed faithful in his daily Bible reading.

Third, He was emotionally disconnected from all those around him. He reported. “How could I be in communion with other people when I wasn’t in communion with myself? How could I have a healthy relationship with others when I wasn’t healthy with myself?”

Summary

• No connection to Christ.
• No connection to self.
• No connection to others.

Many Christian leaders are emotionally numb. Pete Scazzero had a breakdown. He felt overworked, emotionally drained, and disconnected. He did some emotional work and launched a whole new ministry called Emotionally Healthy Discipleship.

Prayer

Father, help me have a great walk with you, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Help me get better at dealing with my old, lingering, emotional stuff. And help me be well connected to those I love. Thank you, Father. Amen.

Bible

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, BUT DO NOT HAVE NOT LOVE, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. – 1 Corinthians 13:1 (NIV) emphasis added