Quenching Burnout

Matthew chapter 11 brings us these transforming words of Jesus Christ:

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

When Jesus presented that offer, He was speaking to people burdened with all the religious expectations that priests were forcing upon them, as if they were beasts of burden. In prior broadcasts, we noted the damage that some of today's high expectations can cause in our lives. We've seen that some expectations are so unrealistic that they lead us into burnout: a condition of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. To be led into burnout is to led away from lifestyle worship.

Jesus offered a way out of the quicksand that day. He offered rest for their souls, and He offered a yoke that fit, instead of one that would rub them raw. As we consider the problem of burnout today, these verses give us good input: Two of our best protections against burnout—and best recoveries from burnout—are rest for our souls and work that fits.

We learned earlier from the lives of Moses and Elijah that the risk of burnout is as real for those who love God as it is for those who don't. We can rush out each morning ready to reach the world for Christ, to feed the poor, to visit the widows, to stop the fight, to plan the Sunday school lesson, or to build the church. It's easy for us to become such well-intentioned workaholics that our bodies, spirits and minds fall prey to the stalker, named Burnout.

Today, would you like to look at ways to combat burnout when it attacks you? If so, I pray that God will powerfully use our next several minutes in your life.

First, let's consider your work. If you feel burned out at work, you may be tempted to quit and re-tool for an entirely different career. On one hand, that may be an idea well worth considering. Could it be that you are doing work that makes little or no use of the abilities God gave you?

Even when they know that their current work is not a good fit for them, many people are reluctant to change to a job that's a better fit. One reason is income. They stay because the money's good. However, life is short—when we get to heaven, do you think God will be particularly interested in how much money we earned?

Another reason some people remain in poorly fitting jobs is the security of routine. They don't want to make all the changes that would come with the new work. They may stay where they are because of loyalty to the company. However, we have a higher loyalty, and that is to live for the glory of God; and one way we glorify Him is by gratefully accepting and wisely using the gifts He has given us. Don't be afraid of a change that creates a better fit.

On the other hand, let me give you two cautions and one alternative: First, don't make any snap decisions. Second, don't run away from problems you need to face. Changes can be traumatic and should be made only with serious prayer and with good advice from people who know you well.

Third, you can avoid or recover from burnout without changing jobs by finding outside activities that use your God-given abilities. This can be a wonderful way to balance your work. Help out in a church or parachurch ministry that needs your gifts. Explore new hobbies. It can be refreshing to your body, mind and spirit!

Having considered some of the pros and cons of changing jobs to avoid or recover from burnout, let's next consider lifestyle. Burnout is one of the 'fiery darts of the devil.' Ephesians 6 tells us God gave us a 'shield of faith' to extinguish those fiery darts.

Our shield of faith consists of several layers of protection. He wants them to become part of our lifestyle. Here are three:

• Our shield of faith includes forgiveness. If we have faith to believe that God is in control, we don't need bitterness, anger or revenge against any who play a role in our burnout. We show our faith in God by forgiving those who seem to be against us.
• Our shield of faith includes thankfulness. Though it requires God's grace and our self-discipline, we worship God when we resolve in our hearts and minds that since God is in control, our response is more important than our situation. Can your response include being thankful about something in your situation? Find that something and sincerely thank God for it.
• Our shield of faith includes contentment. Paul gives us his personal testimony about contentment in Philippians 4:11-13: I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Paul had to learn contentment. You can, too. Put your life on God's altar and become content with who you are and content with where you are. Satan's darts can't penetrate real contentment!

Strange as it may seem, there is a positive side to burnout. Burnout can force you to reexamine your gifts, expectations and priorities. That's good! Sometimes we don't get serious about these matters of the soul until we crash and burn.

Here are several priorities that will make a difference in your life:

• Balance. Put borders around your work, and don't let it cross those lines. Create margins for personal restoration and spiritual renewal with God.
• Rest. Are you a "Type A" personality, always driven to the next challenge the moment you're done with what you've been doing? Those of us who are Type As will live longer and better if we intentionally make ourselves take time to relax and enjoy one accomplishment for awhile before racing off to conquer the next one on our list!
• Friends. Nourishing friendships are one of God's most wonderful blessings to us! Their support, their love and their insights are invaluable. From Moses and Joshua in the Old Testament to Paul and Timothy in the New Testament, the Bible shows many examples of nourishing friendship. Your circle of good friends is very important if you fall captive to burnout. I urge you to spend time with friends who will gently but firmly encourage you and help you make your recovery a time of significant personal growth. If their advice is godly, your yoke will become easy and 'you will find rest for your soul.'

© 2007 John Garmo. If you would be interested in using this article, please contact us at Info@MissionToChildren.org.