"Burnout"

Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary describes "burnout" as: "exhaustion of physical or emotional strength" (p. 189). Burnout is one of those terms that we hear used more often today than we did ten or twenty years ago. It can involve anyone, but often affects people who are in a high stress situation or occupation.

Some Of The Factors That May Cause Burnout

1. Burnout may be the result of expecting too much from yourself. We speak of someone who imposes unrealistic goals, or standards of what is acceptable or suitable. They may have been reared in homes where they were never commended for what they did. No matter how good it was, it was never quite good enough. As a result, they have set before themselves an impossible level of attainment. Even if they did achieve it, they probably would never find satisfaction in it, for they would not be convinced that it was as good as what others might do. Paul, writing by inspiration, spoke of some who "measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise" (2 Corinthians 10:12). That measurement cuts both ways. There is the possibility of setting the standard too low, and there is the possibility of setting it too high, but either way Paul says it is "not wise". It is good to realize that God never expected us to do more than what we are able to do, nor should we expect the same of ourselves. Do the best you can do, and rejoice in it, never mind how it stacks up against others or what others might think.

2. Burnout may be the result of one becoming a workaholic. This condition describes someone who gets so wrapped up in their work that they never seem to let it rest. Solomon, in the long ago, suggested that "much study is wearisome to the flesh" (Ecclesiastes 12:12). Burnout can happen in many different situations in life, but often is found in those who tend to do excessive amounts of "head-work" rather than "back-work".

3. Burnout may be the result of not taking a break from the day to day activities that constantly affect us. A recent study (that was shared on a news program) suggested that most executives and those people in high stress situations need to have at least two weeks absence from the job site in order to get the mental rest they need. Jesus, while He was here, needed to get away once in awhile. He sometimes simply left the crowd and went to the mountains or hillsides (Mark 6:46-47). When the apostles returned from some of their work under the limited commission, Jesus instructed them to "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while" (Mark 6:30). He realized that they needed some time to regain their strength and get bolstered for their next challenge. Yes, sometimes we just need to get away.

4. Burnout may be the result of trying to carry the burden all by ourselves. Those that we work with, whether children or others, must bear the responsibility for their own actions, we cannot carry all of their responsibility in addition to our own. Let me illustrate. Early in my preaching, I spent a lot of time stewing and fretting over those who forsook assembly with the saints, or who turned their back on my faithful teaching and preaching. As a result, I ended up hurting for them. It didn’t do a thing for them, but it eventually caught up with me. I had to learn that my responsibility was to preach the word, live it faithfully myself, but allow others to bear responsibility for their own actions. It was a hard lesson to learn, and a tough price to pay. The same is true in any field. We can instruct, we can direct, but we must eventually allow others to bear responsibility for their own deeds. We might cite Ezekiel in that regard. God instructed him with these words: "When I say to the wicked, "You shall surely die," and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul" (Ezekiel 3:17-18). Sooner or later, others must take responsibility for their doing, and we must let them. Back in the garden of Eden, God held the man, the woman and the serpent (Satan) accountable for their own actions even when they tried to blame someone else. Each individual must answer for themselves, and there comes a time when we must let them do just that.

5. Burnout may be the result of putting too much trust in self, and not leaning enough upon God. Yes, that sounds judgmental, but it is true none-the-less. Jeremiah said it well years ago when he stated: "O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). To try to go it alone will result in unnecessarily heavy burdens upon ourselves. Instead of unburdening themselves before God’s throne at the end of a day, such a person tends to carry their concerns into the night. As a result, their bed looks more like a war zone than a place of rest the next morning, and their night is but another extension of a stressful day. Jesus taught us by His example that constant communication with God was a real plus.

6. Burnout may be the result of carrying luggage from the past into the present. Sometimes, people will not let go of the past. There may have been some unpleasant action or event that they experienced. It may be something they did to themselves, to another or something someone did to them. Harboring it, allowing it to constantly create grief and sorrow is not good. If it is a sin that we have committed (or continue to commit), we must seek God’s forgiveness for it. The longer we hold on to it, the more it will affect our health both mentally and phsyically. If we have sought God’s forgiveness (whether through our initial obedience to the gospel of Christ, or as a Christian through confessing, repenting and praying God for forgiveness) we must accept it (Acts 2:38-41; 8:22; I John 1:7-9). If it involves someone else, we need to make amends to the best of our ability, and press on. If it is something that someone else has done to us, we need to pray for them, and hope that they will come to repentance. One thing is for certain, we cannot bear the shame, feel the reproach or continually dwell upon their ill- treatment of us, it will not move them one bit closer to resolving their sin, nor will it help us. There are times when we need to be willing like God to "forgive" and "forget" (a principle of Hebrews 8:12).

7. Sometimes burnout is the result of feeling all alone. We believe that no one else is standing with us. Elijah, the prophet, was someone who had this experience (that of feeling all alone). What he had to do was move beyond the "Elijah Syndrome" and realize that if God is with you, you are in the majority. God called him, rebuked him, and demonstrated that is not always the "big things" that accomplish His purpose. He reminded him that he was certainly not alone, and ordered him to return to active duty (I Kings 19:1-18). Yes, we may get discouraged, we may even be depressed, but we can’t stop doing what needs to be done. We are never alone if God is with us (James 4:7,8).

Coping With Burnout

1. Take one day at a time, and handle one event at a time (Matthew 6:33-34).
2. Pray for that day and the situations you may face (I Timothy 2:2; I Thessalonians 5:17; Matthew 6:11).
3. Be thankful for what you are and what you have, don’t dwell on what you do not have (Philippians 4:11).
4. Recognize that you are but one part of the whole equation. You can not and should not bear everyone’s responsibilities. Accept your own, and work out a strategy to handle them.
5. Clear out the left over baggage and trust in God’s forgiveness. Press on with His help and rejoice in His continued blessings.