Matthew 11:28-30
Life has a way of using us up. It takes a lot of energy to
handle what is thrown at us on a daily basis.
When we are wrung out emotionally, physically and spiritually but still
must continue, life becomes a real burden.
It happens in work, marriage, child-rearing, caregiving, and even in
ministry. How do we handle burnout in
life?
I. Definition of Burnout
A truth in life is that few things in
life end up as expected.
Burnout is
coming to the end of your self.
Stressed Out is not the same as Burned Out
·
Stress, by and large, involves too much.
·
Burnout, on the other hand, is about not enough.
II. Symptoms of Burnout
·
Physical symptoms: fatigue, frequent illness, sleep
problems
·
Emotional symptoms: disillusionment,
helplessness; anger, depression, isolation
·
Behavioral symptoms: detachment, avoidance of responsibilities, harshness,
loss of satisfaction
III. Causes of Burnout
·
Trying
to do God’s work in man’s power.
·
Focusing on tasks instead of purpose. Ecclesiastes 3:9-11
o Tasks without purpose produce weariness.
o Tasks without purpose produce boredom.
o Tasks without purpose produce emptiness.
The tasks of life find purpose
and value in eternity. Ecclesiastes 3:12-14
IV. Scriptural Pictures of Burnout
A. Elijah was physically worn out - I Kings 19:1-3
B. Moses was emotionally wrung out - Numbers 11:4-6,14-15
C. Jonah was spiritually wiped out - Jonah 4:1-3
V. Beating Burnout
Burnout can
be the blessing of God to bring you to greater truth and reality
in life.
A. Elijah was physically refreshed - I Kings 19:5-6
B. Moses was emotionally renewed - Numbers 11:16-17
C. Jonah was spiritually revived - Jonah 4:1-3
