Burnout

‘If you want to follow Jesus, you must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.’ John Ortberg

On two occasions, I have come close to burnout, even after running seminars for Christian leadership on this subject. Burnout can develop gradually, often going unnoticed in the early stages. It first gained public attention in 1980 with the book ‘Burnout: The High Cost of High Achievement.’

A counsellor and friend I visited during one of these periods defines burnout as ‘the inevitable outcome of unattended cumulative stress.’ (Brian Massey). A more detailed explanation describes it as ‘a state of emotional, physical, social, and spiritual exhaustion.’ Those involved in practical ministry are particularly vulnerable. The casualty rate is so high that many leave ministry permanently. Have you considered that you are not superhuman, so you must plan for longevity rather than just responding to immediate pressures. On a scale of 1 to 10—where 1 means no sign of burnout and 10 indicates severe burnout—where would you place yourself?

Parker Palmer describes burnout as ‘a state of emptiness, to be sure, but it does not result from giving all I have; it merely reveals the nothingness from which I am trying to give in the first place.’

Biblical Perspective

Scripture is full of people approaching burnout. For instance, Moses, nearing emotional exhaustion, received timely counsel from his father-in-law, Jethro. Jethro advised him to delegate much of his work, which he wisely did (Exodus 18:17-27). Similarly, after a great victory in defeating the prophets of Baal, Elijah found himself in despair, hiding in the wilderness from Jezebel and crying out for death (1 Kings 19:4). Many other biblical figures also struggled with the pressures of leadership and ministry.

People operating in burnout can harm themselves, those around them, and even discredit God’s work.

Reasons for Burnout:

Cultural Upbringing – I grew up in a home where hard work was expected. My mother often spoke about getting up early to milk the cows before school, and I was expected to work just as diligently. Breaking free from that mindset can be incredibly challenging. Even in retirement, I found myself nearing burnout. Eventually, I forced myself to work only in the mornings and take afternoons off to restore my health.
Work Addiction – This differs from cultural upbringing. Many people genuinely enjoy hard work and gain satisfaction from it. Seeing lives transformed by Jesus is rewarding, but if we are not careful, ministry can deplete us entirely.
Poor Self-Esteem – We may overextend ourselves in an attempt to prove our worth, putting undue pressure on our abilities.
Seeking Approval – Living for the praise of others and avoiding criticism can be exhausting. Self-awareness is crucial in addressing this issue.
Meeting Others’ Expectations – Ministry is demanding, and unless we set boundaries, we may be overwhelmed by the expectations placed on us.
Neglecting Sabbath Rest – An insightful story illustrates this well: ‘Someone applying for an associate pastor’s position was told, ‘Rich, there’s only one way to get fired at this church.’ Expecting an example of moral failure, he was surprised when the interviewer said, ‘If you don’t keep the Sabbath, you will get fired, because you won’t have the kind of life that will sustain pastoral work.’ (Rich Villodas, Christianity Today).
Understanding Sabbath – Eugene Peterson defines Sabbath as ‘uncluttered time and space to distance ourselves from the frenzy of our activities so we can see what God has been and is doing.’
Vicarious Trauma – Constant exposure to the pain and suffering of others can lead to emotional exhaustion. Moral injury (doing something against your value system) is now recognised as a significant stressor.

Ways to Overcome Burnout

Assess Your Pace – If Jesus took over your ministry, would He operate at your speed? Needs do not always constitute a call. Jesus frequently withdrew for solitude and prayer (Mark 1:35). Meditation and listening to God are just as important as speaking to Him.
Seek Knowledge – Reading books and articles on burnout and attending seminars can help you take stock of your well-being.
Exercise Regularly – One specialist noted that 95% of burnout cases he treated involved people who did not exercise consistently.
Find a Confidant – I set aside monthly time with a godly mentor to share joys, confess failures, and pray in a confidential setting. James 5:16 says, ‘Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.’ John Wesley also advocated for small group confession and accountability.
Prioritise Rest – Take a weekly Sabbath and engage in activities that replenish your energy. What restores you?
Maintain Quality Relationships – Invest in meaningful relationships, particularly with your spouse and children if married. Limit time with overly negative individuals who drain you.
Set Boundaries – Manage your schedule wisely, leaving time for recovery between appointments. Postpone meetings if necessary.
Recognise Your Limits – Avoid the temptation to impress others at the expense of your well-being.
Failure is Not Final – Winston Churchill famously said, ‘Success is going from one failure to another without losing enthusiasm.’ Moses and Elijah, despite their struggles, recovered from burnout and continued fruitful ministry.

Jesus invites us, saying, ‘Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest’ (Matthew 11:28, The Message).

Resources
Marjory F. Foyle, Honourably Wounded
Peter Scazzero, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality

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