Burnout happens when we are expending emotional, mental, or
spiritual energy that we don’t have. It is “burning the candle at both ends”
(so that the fire burns all the wax up and then the wick and there is nothing
left for the fire to burn so it extinguishes). Burnout in ministry is the
equivalent of physical exhaustion for a prize fighter. The prize fighter can no
longer “function” in the ring if he is physically exhausted. At that point, his
defenses are down and any blow will cause major damage to his body. It is the
same for the burned out pastor or Christian Worker. Once the “exhaustion” sets
in, any blow from the enemy in whatever form it takes tends to take the
individual down. At that point, the opponent (Satan), takes advantage of the
defenseless position and begins to pound the individual into the mat. The
longer the individual stays down getting pelted, the more damage is done and
the longer it takes to recover. It is significant that God provides all the “training”
it takes to avoid exhaustion (burnout). We have to utilize his training methods
in order to avoid burnout. The Bible is often our training manual or God’s “how
to” book. There are many passages of scripture that talk about God “sustaining”
us (helping us avoid burnout). I would like to focus on one such passage. When
Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights, I am sure that
he was exhausted from the ordeal. I recently talked with someone who practices
fasting on a regular basis and the longest they have fasted without any food
has been 7 days (much shorter period of time without water). It is significant
that it was at the end of this period, when Jesus was the weakest and
exhaustion was set in, that Satan tempted Him. His tactic in overcoming this
temptation is worth looking into. There are three things that are of significance
here which are indicated by three types of temptations that give us a clue on
how to avoid burnout. 1) Don’t focus on
the problems at hand but on the God who is greater than the problems. Satan said, “Command that these stones be
made bread” but Jesus replied, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every
Word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” In other words and this is my
paraphrase, “Even though I am hungry and this looks like the real problem, I am
not going to become so overwhelmed with this that I just deal with it without
seeking ALL of God’s counsel (every word). There is no substitute for spending
time with God. There is no substitute for talking with him, listening to him,
and learning what he is doing and saying.
Next Satan took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and said, “If you
are the Son of God, throw yourself down so that the holy angels can come and
rescue you for all the people to see. (my paraphrase). Jesus replied, “Thou
shalt not tempt the Lord thy God (put God to the test).” This brings us to the second principle to
avoid burnout. 2) Once you have focused
on God and discovered that He is greater than the problems, don’t rush to the conclusion
that God wants to solve the problems to prove himself or vindicate you. I
have to say that much of my own burnout was the result of a lack of
understanding of this basic principle. I saw that God was bigger than the
problems. Due to that realization, I expected Him to vindicate me and His
people for the entire world to see. This is the problem with this approach. It
circumvents one of God’s greatest purposes for each of us on this earth. Our
lives are a quest to TRUST Him. My purpose in this life is to have faith in God
and to TRUST Him. That’s where my responsibility ends. If I trust Him that also
means obedience and “putting feet on my prayers” but the outcome of that TRUST
is God’s business. When the unthinkable happens, my purpose is to TRUST Him.
Job (which is considered the oldest written book in the Bible) stated, “Even though
you slay me, yet will I Serve (TRUST) thee.” Often frustration (which leads to
burnout) comes to us when we do not things going the way we want them to go.
Doesn’t God know his reputation is on the line? (I’m being facetious; his
reputation is not on the line). 3) Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing—Not my
will but thine be done (true worship is thanking God for HIS will and purposes).
The last temptation recorded states that Satan took Jesus into a high mountain
in the wilderness and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and told him
that if he would worship him (Satan), he would give Him (Jesus) all the
kingdoms of the world. I really missed
it here as well and this contributed to my burnout. I really wanted the world
to recognize God. Often times not just to see God but to think highly of me.
Pride is a sneaky thing. By thinking we are not prideful; we have invited pride
into our lives. I heard the illustration one time of a woman who got an award
one Sunday at church for being the most humble person in the congregation. They
had to take it away from her the next week because she accepted it. “Worship the Lord Your God and Him only shalt
thou serve.” Burnout is avoided when we want only HIS will and when we also
only want HIM to be glorified. It takes the pressure off because our task is
just to spend time with Him and be obedient.
Remember Jesus purpose on this earth was to be crucified so that God’s
purpose could be fulfilled. Had he not wanted God to be glorified only but also
wanted self-vindication, imagine what “burnout” he would have faced? While everything in his life was leading Him
to the cross, he would have been struggling and fighting all the way until the
point of exhaustion. Praise God He stayed focused on God, His Will, His
Purpose, His Plan.
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