At the end of April, John Piper took an 8-month leave of absence from ministry — no preaching, writing, blogging, meetings, or any other responsibilities, apart from a few select opportunities that were agreed upon with his wife and elders. That leave ended at the end of December, and he is now returning to his ministry as pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church.
Read his report on his leave, including how it impacted his soul, marriage, family, ministry, and future at Desiring God.
Words of Grace 
Sometimes I fell a little “odd” when I share some of the besetting sins in my life to others or to a Sunday School class. But after reading John Pipers blog on his report of his 8 months off was (to say the least) refreshing. Our lives are the Glorious work of the Spirit of Grace and when these lives are locked away in “privacy” God’s work is missing its due exposure. Caution is expected so as to not to become self focused. However, how refreshing it is to see Godly, effective, gifted men grieving over the very same infirmities that I grieve over. This really gives me hope! God Bless you John Piper I have read your life and see Christ!
My guess is that the hope and encouragement you have experienced are some of the very reasons that John has been so open about these past months — and about his life in general throughout his ministry. Every earthly shepherd is still an imperfect under-shepherd in need of and dependent upon the great Shepherd of the sheep. And John Piper models well what it means to be a good shepherd dependent on Christ.