How not to fall into the pit of burnout

 Pexels / Jim Jackson

People today could sometimes feel they are running out of steam in their everyday living. You may have the same problem: Going from day to day, dragging your feet to work, leaving exhausted, neglecting quality time with family and friends and ending the day exhausted and unfulfilled. You want a way out but you just can't find it.

Is there really a way out of the downward spiral of burnt-out living? We can be rest assured that nothing is impossible with God.

Burnout usually happens when people find no more reason to keep going. The irony of it all is that people think that it's fine to keep going when their tanks are empty. We need to be refuelled because as, people, we were designed by God to be filled up.

When we are burnt out, the weight of life seems to get a whole lot heavier. All of a sudden, everything we do is a burden, even the things that you once enjoyed. The saddest part is that when we are burnt out, we forget our way and start losing track of the purpose of God.

If you feel this way and want out starting today, know this: It is not God's will for you to be burnt out. God desires to see motivated, encouraged and edified people who will bring glory to His name.

The bad news is that we cannot help ourselves out of the pit of burnout. No matter how hard we try, by our own works and strength we're never getting out. But by God's grace and enabling strength, we can break the clutch of burnout in our lives.

So what's the secret to avoiding burnout? There's no secret really. It's as simple as this: Keep yourself filled with the presence of God. Acts 1:8 makes it very clear that we "receive power when the Holy Spirit comes." Power to be a living testimony of God's grace and faithfulness and power to bring glory to Christ by serving others.

God's presence is the ultimate fuel that keeps us going and we fill ourselves up best when we wait upon Him and seek Him endlessly and tirelessly. Psalm 23:3 promises that God "...restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

When we get burnt out, we lose morale and we most likely lose our way, but as God comes and fills us up once more with His enabling grace and empowering presence, we are restored and led to the right paths.

News
'Light of hope for us': Christmas lights illuminate Bethlehem and Jerusalem for the first time in two years
'Light of hope for us': Christmas lights illuminate Bethlehem and Jerusalem for the first time in two years

Bethlehem and Jerusalem have ushered in the Christmas season with public celebrations and glittering lights for the first time in two years, marking a poignant moment of hope in cities still grappling with the humanitarian and economic fallout of the Gaza war.

Church of England bishops were right to halt same-sex blessing plans - Bishop of Winchester 
Church of England bishops were right to halt same-sex blessing plans - Bishop of Winchester 

The Bishop of Winchester has defended the recent decision of the House of Bishops to pause plans to introduce standalone same-sex blessing services. 

Protecting girls and young women in the digital age
Protecting girls and young women in the digital age

It’s a missional priority for us as Christian communities to have open discussions about both the benefits and downsides of being online.

Rev Dr Richard Turnbull: former principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford
Rev Dr Richard Turnbull: former principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford

Richard Turnbull brought an unusual combination of skills to his life’s work. He died on 26 October, aged 65, having been diagnosed with terminal cancer.