How Do You Lead When You’re Running on Empty

In this episode of Father Like the Father, DJ speaks directly to the tired dads—the ones doing their best, but quietly running on fumes.The pressure to lead your home doesn’t stop just because you’re drained. But maybe the solution isn’t grinding harder… maybe it’s plugging into a greater source of strength.DJ opens up about what changed when he finally slowed down, stopped pretending, and let God refill what life had emptied.—Scripture:“Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.” – Isaiah 40:31—Weekly Challenge:Set aside 10 minutes this week just to sit with God.No agenda. No noise. Just listen.Write down one verse, one thought, or one prayer that comes out of it.Your strength doesn’t come from your hustle—it comes from your source.—🌱 Join Rooted in BrotherhoodIf you’re a dad trying to lead well—while carrying more than you let on—you’re not alone.We built Rooted in Brotherhood, a free Facebook group for faith-filled dads, to help men grow, heal, and lead from a place of rest, not burnout.Click the link below to join us.We’re building something stronger—together.https://www.facebook.com/groups/282732511309028/

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
What do you do when you're leading on empty?
What's up brothers? DJ here.
Today I want to speak to the tired dads.
You know, the dads running on the fumes, still showing up,
still doing their best, but wondering how long can I do
this? Fatherhood doesn't come with an
off switch. And for some of us, we're trying

(00:22):
to lead our families while feeling completely drained.
This mistake we make is thinkingstrength is about doing more,
but real strength, it comes fromwhere you're plugged in, in
Isaiah chapter 40, verse 31. But those who hope IN the Lord
will renew their strength. They'll soar on weeds like

(00:45):
eagles. They'll run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not be faint.Not those that hustle harder,
not those who fake it, those whowait on the Lord, they plug in,
they lean in to the Lord. So a few months ago, I was
feeling this exact thing, completely burnt out.

(01:06):
And I'm like, what in the world am I going to do?
And the one thing that I I changed is when I got into the
car and I was driving to work. It's about a 20 minute commute.
I started praying and thanking God for everything.
God, thank you for waking me up today.
God, thank you from the beautiful family that I got to
see while I was heading out. God, thank you for the car that

(01:26):
I have that can drive to work. God, thank you.
When I got to work, I was like, God, thank you for getting me to
work safely. God, thank you for this job.
And when I did that, it literally changed everything.
And it wasn't that it fixed everything overnight, but it
grounded me. And from that place I had
strength that didn't come from me, that came from the one that

(01:47):
I was plugging into. Guys, this week, set a time to
set a time. Just 10 minutes.
Sit with God, don't ask for anything, just be.
Write down one verse, one thought, or one prayer you feel
in that time. Leading from rest isn't
weakness, it's wisdom. Hey, if you're tired, you're not

(02:09):
alone. That's why we built Rooted in
Brotherhood, a free Facebook community for dads just like
you. We talk faith, fatherhood, and
how to keep going when life feels heavy.
Click the link below and come join us.
You aren't meant to carry all this alone.