Leading Well This Summer: A Fresh Start for the Whole You

By Cathie Ostapchuk

“Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” – Psalm 116:7 (NIV)

The Summer Invitation

Summer often carries with it the promise of sunshine, slower rhythms, and sacred space to reset. But if you’re anything like many women in leadership, the shift into summer doesn’t always feel like a pause—it can feel like a pivot into more juggling, more expectations, and less structure. That’s why now is the perfect time to intentionally kickstart your wellness journey in every area: emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically.

Not because it’s trendy or convenient, but because your calling requires it—and God desires it for you.

Why Wellness Matters for Leaders

Let’s be honest. It’s easy to lead on autopilot. We show up, give our best, check the boxes, and carry the burdens of others, all while neglecting the deeper parts of ourselves. But leadership that flourishes for the long haul isn’t powered by performance. It’s sustained by rootedness—by a life anchored in Christ, nourished through rest, and strengthened in partnership with God.

Emotional Reset: Feel What You've Been Hiding

We start by slowing down. Not to check out—but to tune in. We need to ask: How’s my soul, really? Emotional wellness begins when we acknowledge what we’ve buried—grief, anxiety, fatigue, or the weight of expectations—and offer it to God.

This summer, give yourself permission to feel, grieve, laugh, and release. Invite God into those quiet moments to heal what hustle has hidden.

Spiritual Renewal: Return to Your Rest

Spiritually, this is a season to return—not to striving, but to sacred rhythms. Choose a simple practice: a daily walk with prayer, a weekly Sabbath, or one scripture to meditate on all month. Psalm 116:7 offers a profound anchor:
“Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.”

This is not just a suggestion—it’s an invitation. Your soul can rest not because life is perfect, but because God is present and has been good. You lead from this truth, not from pressure.

Mental Clarity: Reclaim Your Thought Life

Mental clarity follows spiritual renewal. Try replacing digital noise with divine truth. Let go of the urge to be constantly productive, and let your mind wander with God instead. Journal your thoughts. Reframe the lies with truth. Speak kindly to yourself.

Your inner dialogue shapes your leadership far more than your title ever could.

Physical Strength: Steward Your Body

And don’t forget your body. Your physical health is not a vanity project—it’s part of your stewardship. What would it look like to honour your body this summer? Maybe it’s hydration. Maybe it’s movement. Maybe it’s choosing sleep over one more email.

Your physical rhythms reflect your values. Let them tell the truth about the kind of leader you want to become.

Let God Lead You Into Wholeness

This summer, choose to lead well by being well. Partner with the God who made you integrated and whole. He doesn’t just call you to lead others—He lovingly calls you back to yourself.

Because when you are well, your leadership is not just effective—it’s life-giving.

Reflection Question

Where do you feel disconnected—emotionally, spiritually, mentally, or physically? What is one small step you can take today to partner with God in that area?

Prayer

Lord, I return to You. Help me rest, reset, and remember that I am Yours. Renew me—heart, mind, body, and soul—so I can lead from wholeness this season. Amen.