Richard B. Jones, Senior Pastor
209 Broad Street
Elmer, NJ 08318

Telephone: (856) 358-6181
Email: pastorjones@snip.net

 

HOW TO AVOID BURNOUT 

     It seems that the word "burnout" has become a far more common word over the last couple of decades. Perhaps it is because we are all living in a pressure cooker kind of world that requires or demands so much more of our time and effort and results in so many more stress related problems. Stress is both an emotional as well as physical condition that renders its victim with a diminished ability to function productively or to be able to cope with most situations that seem to arise. Most of us have had this as a personal experience or we have known someone that has gone through such a trying time.

     One might ask the question, "Does the Bible have anything to say about dealing with the stresses of the day?" The answer is "yes" and from God's Word we can draw a number of conclusions or principles that will help each of us avoid facing the terrible condition that we call "burnout". Notice and seriously consider these suggestions.

1. Let HIM do the work. One of the great joys of being a child of God is the knowledge of both His presence as well as His care and concern. Our walk can often be illustrated with the exercycle that many use regularly to help keep muscles toned and usable. Most would agree that this devise is used for a prescribed length of time on a regular basis and the longer you are able to pedal, the stronger you would seem to be. Suppose that when you no longer could pedal any further that you could place the exercycle on an "automatic" mode and it would turn all by itself, moving your legs up and down in rhythm? The fact is that if such an experience were possible, you would simply be going along for the ride. In the Christian life, times come upon us when we just feel like we can't pedal even one more time--we just can't go on any further in our own strength. It is at those times that we need to get on the spiritual exercycle and "let Him do the work". At this point, I would ask you to open your Bible and read Matthew 11:28-30 because it will better explain just what I have suggested to you. It says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light".

2. Learn to rest in the work and not from the work. The key here is our fellowship with Christ. We will learn to better cope with whatever comes our way when we learn to "Take my yoke upon you". The point is that we keep so close to Him that when we get weary in the work that He will be able to carry us along because we are yoked together with Him. You see, this suggests that we haven't turned from the task or from the work, but remaining yoked with Christ enables us to get rest in the work.

3. Spend time with Him! I am sure that most have felt at one time or another that they just had to get away and had to have a vacation of sorts because the stresses of life were getting almost too much to endure. The stresses of life, if left unattended, can bring us to the point where we are of little value to anyone or anything. Jesus taught His disciples to "come apart and rest awhile." I think that's why Christ taught His disciples in Matthew 11 to "learn of Him". Isaiah 40:31 says, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." The stresses will never be gone, but the opportunity to dwell closer to Christ is always available to us, in fact, it is His desire for us. When we become accustomed to "spending time with Him" we are going to discover that we are far better equipped to handle the dreaded stresses of life.

Burnout is a very real possibility but so are these applications that will enable each of us to live from day to day without losing our productivity and we can stay productive for His honor and glory!