How Can the Bible Help Us Recover from Burnout?
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Burnout is brutal. It leaves those who experience it utterly exhausted, affecting them emotionally, physically, socially, mentally and spiritually. Burnout often occurs by carrying burdens by ourselves that are too great to bear. This can happen over an extended period of time, during times of great pressure. And often these demands are overwhelming. Burnout can be self-inflicted as we take on more and more and try to do it all in our own strength. Sources can include responsibilities placed on us by others, or circumstances that seem beyond our control.
One thing that burnout can helpfully remind us of is: we are not God.
We are not the savior and rescuer that we often pretend we are. We are finite, vulnerable individuals who need basic needs met to continue to function, let alone thrive. Whereas God can be everywhere at all times, we are bound by time and space. Where God never slumbers nor sleeps, we have to humbly admit defeat whenever we lay our head.
However, rather than viewing our God-given limitation as a hindrance, we can use it as an opportunity and invitation to worship God. As Jesus is the Word of God and the Bible is all about Him, it is worth examining what His Word shows us on recovering from burnout.
Jesus Initiated and Demonstrated Rest
Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). This is a wonderful summoning from our Savior, to come to Him when we are weary and burdened. He is the one who will give us the rest that we so deeply crave and that our bodies so desperately need.
Having rest was mandated and given to God’s people in the story of creation. God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2) and the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27). The Sabbath was a time for rest. Under Mosaic law it enabled God’s people to take a full day of rest. Jesus healed on the Sabbath and His disciples picked grain on the Sabbath, so the Pharisees tried to accuse them of breaking the Sabbath. Yet, the Pharisees were the ones burdening the people by adding rules that were not part of God’s holy law. In His mercy, God grants His people rest, and we do well to practice that in our week.
Jesus made time to rest when He walked the earth. If anyone knew what a busy life looked like, it was Jesus. He was followed by large crowds, had questions asked of Him from all different people, healed the sick, spent time teaching in the synagogues, visiting friends in their homes, enjoying hospitality and much more. In His busy ministry, Jesus had times where He would withdraw to lonely places to pray and be with His Father (Luke 5:16). How much more do we need to adopt this regular rhythm into our lives as adopted sons and daughters of the King? The Son was in close communion with the Father, and we need to be too.
Jesus also told His disciples to come with Him and rest. This is a wonderful image of God’s compassionate care and mercy for His followers. Mark 6:31 says, “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’” Going to a quiet place with Jesus to rest is the best place to be restored and grow in strength. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). Those who wait, trust and hope in the Lord will renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31).
Knowing Our Mission and Purpose
Having close communion with the Father meant that Jesus never lost sight of His mission in the world. He was born to die for the sin of His people, and He carried on throughout His life until the appointed time.
We all have a purpose in this life, which is supremely to glorify God. As Jesus glorified His Father by faithful obedience, we are to trust and obey Him in our daily life. Our bodies are a living sacrifice which is an act of worship to Him (Romans 12:1). We are to offer our lives to Him, knowing that He will direct our steps (Proverbs 16:9).
There is wisdom in considering our schedules and discerning what God is asking us to do. We can take on too much without ever consulting God about it in the first place. He will equip us for where He calls us. However, there may also be seasons of intensity in our circumstances which can bring us to our knees. Paul talks of all the sufferings and persecution he endured, yet he was not destroyed or crushed through them (2 Corinthians 4:8-10). He saw his suffering for the gospel in the light of eternal truth.
There may be times of persecution, personal illness, financial uncertainty, challenging relationships and more going on all at once. It can lead to exhaustion as it takes its toll upon us. Regardless of what situations or seasons we find ourselves in, we can still prioritize thinking upon Jesus and resting in His loving care.
Jesus tells us to cast all our anxieties on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Depending on Jesus and casting all our anxieties upon Him is not something we intentionally think about - unless we make time to intentionally think about it! It is not just some of our burdens and anxieties. It is all of them. How easy it is to hold back from God and continue straining under the load of our concerns and worries.
He is our Heavenly Father and His perspective and His shoulders are bigger and stronger than ours. He is the one who carries the government on His shoulder (Isaiah 9:6). Will He not so much more take care of one of His sheep as the Good Shepherd, and carry us upon His shoulders?
Practical Ways the Bible Helps Us Recover from Burnout
The Bible is God’s Word to us and Jesus is the Word (John 1:1). We have seen how Jesus initiated and demonstrated rest from the beginning of creation, through the law in the Old Testament and in His ministry as He walked the earth. Rest is something that God gives us because He is compassionate and merciful. We see this in how He cares tenderly for the physical needs of His disciples, and how He wants us to bring our burdens to Him. As we go about our daily life with these comforting truths about our Savior in mind, here are some practical ways we can recover from burnout by applying biblical truth:
Remember that God cares and He will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30). Pray to Him knowing He hears and cares for you.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
Ask God for wisdom and direction on what to say no to and what to say yes to.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).
Listen to wise instruction and wisdom from others. An example is when Jethro tells his son-in-law Moses to delegate responsibilities.
“What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you” (Exodus 18:14-23).
Be supported by the church family - the body of Christ. Receive the help of others in the family of God. This could free you up to serve in the areas that God has given you, or at least to provide some rest and renewal to prevent burnout (whether through prayer partners, physical help, comfort or something else).
“But God has put together all the parts of the body. And he has given more honor to the parts that didn’t have any. In that way, the parts of the body will not take sides. All of them will take care of one another. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part shares in its joy” (1 Corinthians 12:24-26).
Abide in Jesus with eyes focused on Him by the power of the Holy Spirit. We can run the race, persevere, endure and do all that He asks of us.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3).
Trust Jesus, surrender and repent of trying to do it all. We are not God and we are dependent on Him for all things. He is Jehovah Jireh and graciously provides for all our needs in His timing.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
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