Why we self-sabotage—how to stop a misguided series of choices

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. –How many times have we learned of a beloved friend, pastor or prominent Christian who has lost his or her ministry, marriage, or relationships due to a misguided series of choices? Often, we are left in shock, shame, and fear. We wonder, “How did this happen?” Self-sabotage can unknowingly destroy the lives of the most devoted Christians, but there is a clear path to freedom.

In his new book, “The Spiritually Healthy Leader: Finding Freedom from Self-Sabotage,” published by New Growth Press, author David Wiedis unpacks what goes on in our hearts that is antithetical to the gospel and to God, and tenderly offers a response to the unspoken question of so many Christians and ministry leaders: “Could this happen to me?”
 

“The premise of ‘The Spiritually Healthy Leader’ is that God designed us to be driven by a ‘Ruling Passion’ to live wholeheartedly Coram deo, before the face of God,” states author David Wiedis, founder of ServingLeaders Ministries. “Most Christians claim they are passionate about their relationship with God and even about the Lordship of Christ.

“However, there often is great disparity between what we claim and what, in practice, we are most passionate about,” continues Wiedis. “In reality, most of us also struggle with our relationships with others, besetting sins, and ultimate commitments that conflict with Christ as Lord. When our passions for created things replace God as the ultimate commitment of our hearts, they become idols.” 

“The Spiritually Healthy Leader: Finding Freedom from Self-Sabotage” is vital for the ongoing health of individuals and the church today. In these unstable, shifting times, leaders and lay people urgently need solid, practical wisdom to help them experience a radical, grace-filled transformation of their lives and safeguard their relationships and callings.

“In the bible we see that although the Apostle Peter loved and passionately served God, at crucial times in his ministry Peter was also ruled by a greater commitment to self-protection; this ruling passion hurt those under his care, created division in the church, and almost sabotaged his ministry. If Peter could be ruled blindly by his passion, so could we,” continues Wiedis. “Thus, it is imperative for every Christian to identify their ultimate commitments and to understand that these commitments have the potential to sabotage one’s relationships, careers, ministries, and lives. We can cultivate intimacy with Christ and rule our passions rather than be ruled by them. ‘The Spiritually Healthy Leader’ offers a practical plan for preventing the kind of self-sabotage that we have read about in one too many headlines.”

Through his book, Wiedis offers the trusted voice of a seasoned counselor and the practical voice of an experienced teacher to help Christians identify the passions that truly motivate them so they can wholeheartedly pursue intimacy with God and, in turn, enjoy a healthy life and ministry.  

“The Spiritually Healthy Leader: Finding Freedom from Self-Sabotage” is scheduled for release in April 2025. Pre-orders are now available through Amazon or New Growth Press.

Having witnessed the pressures of ministry and the devastation that results from a lack of pastoral care for ministry leaders, in 2007 Dave Wiedis founded and became Executive Director of ServingLeaders Ministries, a ministry that provides pastoral care and counseling for ministry leaders, their families, and the broader Christian community. Dave attended Villanova School of Law and practiced with a top law firm in Philadelphia, and his own firm that specialized in radiation litigation. Dave also has a Master’s degree in Christian Counseling from Cairn University, where he serves as an adjunct professor. Dave regularly speaks at churches, pastors’ conferences, and retreats in addition to serving many churches as an Elder, advisory council member, assessor and counselor.

The ServingLeaders Podcast, hosted by David Wiedis, is available on Apple and Spotify. 

To contact Wiedis, call 610-517-0437, visit www.servingleaders.org, or email him at [email protected].

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