Help for Burnout - iBelieve Truth - November 14, 2023

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV 

Are you feeling stressed or even exhausted by all you have to do? Life can often become a relentless whirlwind of activities and responsibilities. The day-to-day demands of work, relationships, and everything else in life can leave you feeling drained and weary. You may try to handle your tasks on your own, thinking that you can manage just fine. But that self-sufficiency often leads to burnout. It may seem as if you’re running on empty, unable to keep up with the never-ending tasks on your schedule.

If you’re experiencing burnout, God invites you to release the burden of self-sufficiency and surrender to his divine support. When you admit your limitations and turn to God, you’ll find strength that goes far beyond your own.

This Bible passage from the Book of Isaiah reminds you that God is the eternal Creator of the entire universe. God is not subject to fatigue or limitations. While you may grow tired, Gog remains constant and unchanging. When you feel overwhelmed and depleted, God is your unfaltering source of strength. By turning to God, you tap into an endless well of energy and power. God’s promise in these verses is clear: He will give you strength when you’re weak. When life’s burdens feel too heavy to bear – when you feel physically, emotionally, or spiritually exhausted – remember that God is ready to infuse you with his divine energy when you pray for his help. You can pray about everything you need at any time. God’s unlimited strength is sufficient to carry you through any challenge you’ll ever face. 

The passage also emphasizes the importance of placing your hope in the Lord. It’s a reminder that even when you feel weak, discouraged, or on the verge of giving up, your hope in God can revive your spirit. When you look to God as the source of your hope, you welcome his renewal into your life. The imagery in these verses is powerful. When you hope in the Lord, he promises to renew your strength to the extent that you’ll soar on wings like eagles. Eagles are known for their strength and endurance. Placing your trust in God invites him to equip you with the capacity to rise above life’s challenges and soar with resilience and determination. 

God’s renewal isn’t limited to extraordinary moments. It also extends to life’s everyday tasks and routines. You can run your race without growing weary, even in the mundane and ordinary. This promise reminds you that God’s strength is available to you every day, in every circumstance. You only have to seek God to notice God with you throughout each day. 

Just as God grants strength for running, he also promises the ability to walk without growing faint. You can endure your daily walk through your schedule with grace and strength in any situation when you rely on God. You don’t have to worry about whether you’ll have the energy for all you have to do each day because you can count on God to faithfully renew and empower you. 

So, don’t worry about trying to work on a long to-do list when you’re burned out. All you have to do when you’re dealing with burnout are just two key things: ask God for help and rely on the help God sends you. God is the everlasting God, the Creator of the universe, and the source of endless strength. You don't need to bear the weight of life’s demands on your own. By placing your hope in God, you will receive his strength to rise above challenges, run your race without growing weary, and walk without fainting through any circumstances. 

Almighty God, I acknowledge my weariness and limitations. I recognize that, in my own strength, I can’t meet all of life’s demands without burning out. Thank you for promising to renew and empower me. Help me to trust in your everlasting nature and your boundless strength. God, I release the burden of self-sufficiency and turn to you for the help I need right now. Please give me the ability to soar on wings like eagles, to run without growing weary, and to walk without fainting. May I find hope and strength in you each day of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Photo Credit: ©tatyana_tomsickova

Whitney Hopler is the author of the Wake Up to Wonder book and the Wake Up to Wonder blog, which help people thrive through experiencing awe. She leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Whitney has served as a writer, editor, and website developer for leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She has also written the young adult novel Dream Factory. Connect with Whitney on X/Twitter and on Facebook. 

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