My father had  to take some medicine to place in his eyes to help them out.  The medicine burned.  It didn't feel good but was necessary.   Some medicine you will not feel while others will have to be applied internally via surgery.  Still others will burn when applied.  Yet all have there function and when applied can aid in healing. 

Leaders take your medicine....

In other words, some leaders need a vacation; I take one several times a year.  Thank you Lord! I need it!

Some leaders need a support group like a special leaders meeting (ie conference).  Or something smaller.... Ok sis time for you to come out of the cave! Hope you are reading!

Some need to regurgitate....In other words, some need to write in a journal, write a book, write a song etc.... I write alot and I still am it is good to get it out!

Some need laughter.... I am a comedienne! HAHA and Ophelia is the name! Don't play Ophelia will cut you she got her butter knife out and she is not afraid to spread butter when she has to!

At some point we all need a jolt to remind us of who we are and not to get stuck on the wrong exit or in the wrong place. We are no different then the people we feed except for the position we walk in. 

We need the Lord to call a meeting with us every now and then to keep us focused.  We need a phone call or visist from another trusted Godly leader stating that God has spoken concerning this or that.... Do what needs to be done.

Elijah the anointed prophet ran when he heard about the threat made by Jezebel... God assured him of somethings but Jezebel....

Aaron you are the high priest but.... Jehoram why did you have to act like Ahab?

Naaman had to dip.... David had to put on sackcloth.....Solomon had to come to terms with some things.... Moses saw the promised land but could not go in due to his anger problem.... Eli was loyal to his sons to a default.... Sarah thought her idea was good....Jehosophat kept trusting the wrong folks...

Sounds like every day stuff.  Issues don't end because you are behind the pulpit they expand.  However,  we  must seek God for strength and restoration. The same way the pews are required to share in some cases with their leader God has systems set up for the leaders to do the same thing.  Don't let that stuff stay bottled up inside as a trained counselor I know it can only be bad if you don't have the necessary outlets in place. 

Lay aside the weight and sin applies to us as well.... Some end up sickly,  some end up bitter,  some end up dead.

On and on and on and on.... The idea that ministry solves all problems and erases all issues is one of the greatest misnomers in the body today.  When I was a kid, I believed that folks in ministry had no problems.  All was good.  When I became a minister I realized that was a lie!  A true myth... The issues increased.  The stuff really hits the fan and you are having to deal with it as you teach others. 

In addition to all of that God still expects you to work on it. In the old testament Miriam had to sit outside the city with leprosy.  David had to wait for the baby to die before returning to his duties.  In each case the issue was addressed and dealt with accordingly. 

Working as a leader among leaders is a sticky subject.  For years this area was left closed.  When an issue is touched just like a wound it is sore to the touch and some cases down right painful but we have to go there so healing can happen.

The balm of gilead must be applied.  Leaders need help too and we must address each issue.  Why? So you can hear his voice clearly and you can help the people you lead to their healing and deliverance.  Think of the life that will be changed/saved. 

Being a leader does not mean we are exempt from God's word.  To whom much is given much is required.  Let's put the medicine out there so we can be healed.  If it burns to God be the Glory.  If one must be cut in surgery To God be the Glory.  If you must eat differently To God be the Glory! God is calling us to do all that He has commanded.  So bring it! The body needs it! The folks in the pews need it! The folks in the pulpit need it! We all need it!

My story:

Thinking back almost 14 years ago, a couple of weeks before Christmas... My brother called me to talk.  He said that he needed to talk because he was ready to get right with Him.

Mind you my brother and I got saved very early in life ; however, both of us got hot over the 'mess' we observed and the lies told.  We both shifted away from ministry in our own way.  He decided now was the time to really get back on track.

He had been going to church for several months but knew he had to go deeper than membership.  During the call many things were shared some light hearted others more in depth and very painful.  Everything came out in the open and was dealt with.

We talked for several hours ending with prayer and renewal. 

Two weeks later, I was preparing for a road trip and stepped back into my apartment when the phone rung.  That call changed my life for ever.

You see it was my parents calling to tell me that my brother had been shot.  we rushed to Orangeburg ( my brother was a Sr @ Orangeburg State) to the hospital to access the damage.  While on the road, the lord told me to stop praying for he had my brother now. The shot was fatal.  His funeral was a few days before Christmas.

Approximately one month after his death, a friend of ours came by the house to see how we were doing.  Before she left, she told me that same night after Keith and I had talked he called her on the phone and told her that it was time to rededicate their life to the Lord.  That sunday he went to church and testified about God's refreshment.  She also shared that he was packing up to come home.  God decided which home that would be!

The words you speak to someone might be the last words they hear be careful to tell them.  Share it! I have been told time and time again sad stories of leaders that waited to late. Countless cases of folks gifts being used while the person is dying a slow death physically, mentally, or spiritually.  We have an obligation to the entire body. 

Break out the medicine....get to pouring it out!