You’re doing all the right things, but still feel exhausted, bitter, and stretched thin. Here’s the real reason burnout keeps winning and what Jesus actually invites you to do instead.
Luke 10: 38-42.
Martha tried so hard. She had a feeling that Jesus might stop by and wanted Him to know just how special He was to their family. So, she prepared, just in case he came. Martha got up early that morning, as she did every day. She cleaned every surface, swept the floor, planned a meal, and went to the market to gather everything she needed to cook for Him. She prepared the meal and tidied up – all while her sister sat, enjoying her time at the feet of Jesus.
Martha felt angry and indignant at everyone there and began to feel taken advantage of. She wanted time to sit and relax at Jesus’ feet, too, but was becoming increasingly tired of always being responsible, ensuring the details of hospitality were attended to. Yes, she also wanted to spend time at the feet of Jesus, listening to Him teach and encourage, but she couldn’t get past the details of responsibilities. If she didn’t do it, who would? She was slowly burning out and becoming bitter.
God understands the struggle. That’s why He inspired Luke to include the story of Mary and Martha in Scripture. It can be challenging to juggle the responsibilities of this life without getting burnt out. However, the antidote to burnout is spending time at the feet of Jesus. But how do we manage that while still attending to our responsibilities? How do we avoid becoming overwhelmed, leading to burnout and bitterness?
God’s remedy for burnout is learning to rest, renew, and reorder. It’s not about giving up responsibilities but instead entrusting them to Him. But how can we do that?
1. Rest in His Presence
Burnout comes from trying to shoulder all of the responsibility alone. However, God never expects us to face it by ourselves. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Proper rest begins as spiritual renewal. This involves sitting at the feet of Jesus, spending time alone with Him, soaking in His wisdom, and resting in His strength.
2. Renew Your Mind
When we reach the point of burnout, we often feel as if we are running on fumes and can no longer think clearly. The world’s influences distort our judgment, clarity of thought, and perspective. Romans 12:2 reminds us: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This is the first step to gaining control.
3. Reorder Priorities
In Luke 5:16, Jesus often stepped away from the crowds to pray: “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” We cannot give from an empty cup; we must be filled ourselves to give from the overflow. Burnout typically occurs when we try to give while we are depleted.
So, what are practical ways to rest, renew, and reorder? “resilient” refers to returning after being bent out of shape or stretched to the breaking point. To be resilient is to bounce back after a particularly trying time. Instead of allowing the circumstances of life to overwhelm and take you under, you proactively put things into place so that you can withstand the burden.
Resiliency is a skill that can be practiced and learned, and it involves specific actions. Here is an acronym to help you remember the steps to implement using the word “RESILIENT.”
Reevaluate your priorities
Not everything is your responsibility. You may excel in certain areas and see ways to improve specific environments and events, but that does not mean God has called you to intervene. God has designated specific people to work in particular areas, and even though His choices may not always look the most effective, they are. Remember that God’s plans are multidimensional and He knows best. Take a moment to examine the things you are responsible for – are they necessary? Did God ask you to take on the responsibility, or did you assume you could do a better job? And are they in the proper order of importance? It’s time to reevaluate.
Engage in self-care
I once watered a plant and later noticed that water was dripping from the tips of its leaves. At first, I wondered where the water was coming from, but then I realized that the leaves dripped water from the tips when the plant had taken in more water than needed. When I watered the soil, and the plant used what it needed, it was satisfied and could give from its overflow. This is an excellent lesson in self-care. Ensure you sleep well, eat balanced meals, drink plenty of water, take time away from responsibilities, and monitor your health. When you ensure that all your needs are met, you will have the strength to give to someone else.
Set boundaries
Saying “no” is not bad, and it doesn’t mean rejection. Saying no doesn’t mean you’re avoiding your responsibilities; you need to invest in the things God has assigned to you. Imagine God handing you a mission to deliver, and as you head toward your destination, everyone on the sidelines is asking you to do something else. If you don’t say no, you risk neglecting the task God has given you. Stay focused. Establish boundaries around toxic relationships that drain your strength, preventing you from fulfilling your God-given responsibilities.
Identify stressors
Stressors come in various forms, depending on your experience, history, and personality. What is difficult for one person may be easy for another. The combination of responsibilities may also contribute to your stress levels, and only you can discern what affects you. Pray and ask God to reveal the challenging areas of your life and the sources of your stress. Once you identify the stress, determine if your priorities align with what God intends for you. Begin to reorder and develop boundaries to guard against those particular stressors.
Live aware
With burnout comes a kind of blindness. We become so focused on the state of internal stress that it clouds our perception of reality. The distractions of stress can prevent us from recognizing what truly matters. Ask God to open your eyes to what is real. Listen to your body, God created us and our bodies for survival. Please don’t ignore the signals it is giving you.
Be aware of your surroundings, smell the roses, listen to the rain, feel the wind, and enjoy the sunshine. Don’t become so distracted by the stress that you overlook the blessings God is placing in your way. Watch for God’s winks.
Incorporate rest
There is nothing like a good nap. And you may say, “When will I have time for that?” The answer is when you put it on your schedule. Set aside a few minutes each day for rest – mentally, socially, and physically. You are just as important as anyone else in your life, so take the time to rejuvenate. If God rested after His work in the garden, how much more should we take a Sabbath rest and give our bodies time to heal from the stress of life?
Enjoy hobbies
Have fun! It’s not a sin to laugh and take time to do things that you enjoy. God gave us colors, flowers, animals, and talents to enjoy. If you have ever wanted to learn to paint, then do it. It doesn’t require much money or time; it takes prioritizing your enjoyment in your schedule. Set aside an hour a week to read a book while taking a hot bath, color in an adult coloring book, try a new recipe if you love to cook, or even play silly video games if that’s what you enjoy. Take time to decompress.
Nurture movement
Get out of the house, the building, the car, and move! Walk, run, exercise, or stretch. It doesn’t require hours of workout; just a few minutes a day to move your body will stimulate the hormonal systems God had put into place to recalibrate your brain. Stretching can help alleviate soreness and tightness in muscles that have become restricted due to inactivity. Instead of reaching for over-the-counter medicine, reach for the sky and stretch out the muscles that constrict during stress.
Trust God
God is watching over you. He sees your stress, and he understands your burnout. Don’t get to the place that allows the enemy to implant bitterness; guard against this by giving your stress and anxiety to God. Release the burdens to him and let them go. He is trustworthy enough and wise enough to handle them, offering you the rest you need.
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