“28. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
“29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
“30. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” ~ Matthew 11:28-30
Burnout by definition is “a form of exhaustion caused by constantly feeling swamped. It’s the result of excessive and prolonged emotional, physical, and mental stress.”
Most of us have felt it to some degree at least once in our lives. Whether brought on by outside forces or our own, it can affect not only our physical and mental health but also our spiritual well-being. Christians are not immune. Unfortunately, it can particularly be experienced by those in vocational Christian ministry and those who are highly involved in their churches.
Although God calls us to work on His behalf, our work is not the basis for His acceptance of us. Hosea 6:6 says “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” The Lord loves each of us as a whole person—mind, body, and soul. As our Creator, He knows our needs better than we do and provides a place to rest and recover when we are overwhelmed. In Mark 6:31, we see how Jesus was concerned about His disciples and called them to get away and rest.
To persevere in our calling without burnout, we must abide in Christ. We need to stay connected to the vine, as shown in John 15:1-17. The closer we remain to Jesus, the more we will find refreshment in Him.
We have all been guilty of accepting more work responsibilities than we can complete adequately. The result is catastrophic to our wellness. Becoming aware of God’s specific direction for our lives will help us stay in tune with Him. We can do the work He has called us to do and do it with all our hearts, within the limits He has set for us.
Let us not grow weary in well doing, but recognize when we are getting overwhelmed. When it is necessary to receive help from others to complete a task, accept it willingly. When God offers His rest, the gracious gift of a wise and loving Father, accept it gratefully.
Remember that the Lord is interested in a relationship more than our work. There is nothing spiritual about burnout for Jesus.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the rest that I can find only in You.
