GOD’S WORD ON BURNOUT

GOD’S WORD ON BURNOUT 

HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM EXPERIENCING BURNOUT?

2 Samuel 21:15 . . . When David and his men were in the thick of battle, David became weak and exhausted.

Psalm 38:8 . . . I am exhausted and completely crushed. My groans come from an anguished heart.

If we become weak and exhausted in the middle of doing our work, we may be experiencing burnout.

1 Kings 19:14 . . . I alone am left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.

We may be experiencing burnout if we despair because our work seems fruitless.

Psalm 69:1-2 . . . The floodwaters are up to my neck. Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold to stand on.

It may be burnout if we feel overwhelmed by everything that is going on in our lives.

Jeremiah 45:3 . . . You have said, “I am overwhelmed with trouble! Haven’t I had enough pain already? And now the Lord has added more!”

When we become burned out, we may feel bitter toward God.

WHAT IS THE ANTIDOTE FOR BURNOUT?

Exodus 18:21-23 . . . Find some capable, honest men. . . . They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. If you follow this advice, . . . then you will be able to endure the pressures.

Sometimes we might be able to delegate some of our workload.

Exodus 23:12 . . . Work for six days, and rest on the seventh. . . . It will . . . allow the people of your household . . . to be refreshed.

Regular, consistent, weekly rest is an important part of avoiding and recovering from burnout.

2 Samuel 17:28-29 . . . They brought sleeping mats, cooking pots, serving bowls, wheat and barley flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, butter, sheep, and cheese for David and those who were with him. For they said, “You must all be very tired and hungry and thirsty after your long march through the wilderness.”

1 Kings 19:5-8 . . . As he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” . . . So he ate and drank and lay down again. Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, for there is a long journey ahead of you.” So he got up and ate and drank.

Getting solid meals and good sleep will help us overcome burnout.

Nehemiah 6:9 . . . I prayed for strength to continue the work.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 . . . May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father . . . comfort your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do and say.

Sometimes we can’t stop working, even though we feel exhausted, but we can encourage each other and pray to God for strength to keep going until we reach a stopping place.

Isaiah 30:15 . . . Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength.

Matthew 11:28-29 . . . Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest . . . and you will find rest for your souls.

We should renew our fellowship with God and be restored by spending time with him.

PROMISE FROM GOD:

Isaiah 40:29-31 . . . He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.