The Scriptures tell us that God’s commandments are limitless, but He has placed limits on us. He put them there for our good—because he loves you.
Psalms 119:96 NLT Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limit.
Although we like to think that we can go on forever we can’t. When we are in the middle of a project we want to continue until the project is complete. No matter how eager we are, or how healthy we are, or how young we are, at some point we reach our physical, mental, and/or our emotional limit.
You have physical limits. No matter what you tell yourself, you can only go so long without food and water. Positive thinking will not overcome physical limitations.
You also have emotional limits. You can handle only so many problems or issues. You have some of your own and add to that the problems and issues of others. There is, believe me a limit, and it’s a smaller limit than you think.
You have mental limits too. With all the information available through radio, TV, and the Internet many people around the world are mentally overloaded. They can’t handle any more. I had a recent conversation with someone who had contracted COVID. This is a person who researches everything and with all the information on COVID symptoms, side effects, vaccines and other medications, long COVID, COVID this and COVID that trying to absorb all this information was too much for her. She had reached her limit. She was on information overload. She didn’t know what to do do she stopped and talked to her doctor.
Finally, you have time limits. There is only so much of it. No matter how many time-management seminars you attend, you’ll never have more than 24 hours in a day, and because you have physical, emotional, and mental limits, you’ll always have to eat and sleep part of that time.
Five Signs You May be reaching your limit.
In addition to these signs God gives us more warning through pain, fatigue, stress, loss of joy, irritability. When you feel any of these things, you’re overloaded; you have exceeded some kind of limit in your life.
Psalms 119:96 NLT Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limit.
Although we like to think that we can go on forever we can’t. When we are in the middle of a project we want to continue until the project is complete. No matter how eager we are, or how healthy we are, or how young we are, at some point we reach our physical, mental, and/or our emotional limit.
You have physical limits. No matter what you tell yourself, you can only go so long without food and water. Positive thinking will not overcome physical limitations.
You also have emotional limits. You can handle only so many problems or issues. You have some of your own and add to that the problems and issues of others. There is, believe me a limit, and it’s a smaller limit than you think.
You have mental limits too. With all the information available through radio, TV, and the Internet many people around the world are mentally overloaded. They can’t handle any more. I had a recent conversation with someone who had contracted COVID. This is a person who researches everything and with all the information on COVID symptoms, side effects, vaccines and other medications, long COVID, COVID this and COVID that trying to absorb all this information was too much for her. She had reached her limit. She was on information overload. She didn’t know what to do do she stopped and talked to her doctor.
Finally, you have time limits. There is only so much of it. No matter how many time-management seminars you attend, you’ll never have more than 24 hours in a day, and because you have physical, emotional, and mental limits, you’ll always have to eat and sleep part of that time.
Five Signs You May be reaching your limit.
- You are beginning to despise people and your compassion for them is decreasing instead of increasing.
- You continually tell yourself and loved ones that “this is just a really busy season and that you will slow down soon”. (However, the truth is that you have been singing that song for years.)
- You begin to make easy decisions instead of the right ones… because the right ones take too much work!
- You cannot remember the last time you simply had fun with your friends and family… and joy is something you talk about but are not experiencing for yourself!
- You are experiencing unexplained stress, depression and/or anxiety. You may even be having panic attacks.
In addition to these signs God gives us more warning through pain, fatigue, stress, loss of joy, irritability. When you feel any of these things, you’re overloaded; you have exceeded some kind of limit in your life.
So what do you do when you’ve reached your limit?
The starting point is to realize that you have limits. You cannot just keep cramming your life full of things that are not important and do not help you accomplish your purpose. Here are some suggestions.
1 Spend time with God everyday when it's just Him and you.
If you’re not spending time with God on a daily basis, you’re going to dry up and blow away when the pressure is on. You won’t be able to handle it. You’ve got to make time to listen during a daily time with God. You have to sit and be quiet. You have to read the Bible and talk to God. Play some music. If you like to journal, do that. Whatever it takes to keep the focus on God, do it!
2. Take care of yourself
Pay careful attention to yourself. Know your strengths and weaknesses, and be sure to care for yourself and your family.
1 Timothy 4:16 NLT Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.
3. Depend on God
Depend on God for the strength and power you need. He has a purpose that He wants to accomplish in you. Stop trying to control what you can’t control and manage what you have no business managing. This includes managing other’s opinions of you and their reactions to you.
Ephesians 2:10 NLT For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
4. Lower your own expectations
Learn to say no and ask for help. Life is not a one person show.
1 Corinthians 12:27 NLT All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
5. Learn to balance your life and pace yourself.
Life is not a sprint; it is a marathon. Take the long view and realize that sometimes slowing down will make you more effective. Structure your time so that you are not always rushed. Take frequent breaks. Give yourself permission to take a nap and to rest.
Exodus 20:8-11 NLT “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
6. Create time away to get refreshed.
Some things requires ou to be spiritually fit, and you can’t be in good spiritual condition by always being on the go and rushed. Jesus often “withdrew to a quiet place”. He should be your example.
Luke 5:15-16 NLT But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.
It’s a good idea to schedule times to rest. One person suggested that you treat you scheduled rest times as “real” appointments. If someone asks for a meeting you can honestly “I have an appointment.”
7. Do something where you are not the one in charge.
You will enjoy those times when you are not the one in charge, the one with all the knowledge, and the one who must make it happen! If you don't have a hobby, get one. You need a healthy distraction that will refresh you.
8. Develop a sense of humor
Sometimes it's good to laugh at yourself and in difficult situations.
Proverbs 17:22 NLT A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.
9. Pay careful attention to your health
Don’t underestimate the importance of staying physically healthy. Maintain a good diet, adequate sleep patterns, and regular exercise.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
10. Seek and keep intimate fellowship with others with whom you can share your burdens.
There are others like you who need someone to talk to about how their feelings of ministry burnout. Share your successes, challenges, and struggles. Don’t buy into the lie that you “have to keep up appearances” and “protect your turf.” Protecting your reputation is often used as an excuse to stay entrenched in isolation. When you develop new relationships you give God an opportunity to create friendships, alliances, and opportunities that may surprise you.
11. Follow Jesus’ example.
When you constantly bear the burdens of others, and feel the responsibility for meeting physical and emotional needs, you can quickly run dry. The secret is to follow the example of Jesus. He spent time in prayer, fasting, consecration, and crying out to His Father, pouring His heart out and receiving answers.
Mark 1:35 NLT Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.
Luke 5:15-16 NLT But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.
You have specific gifts and passions, along with limitations on your time, energy, and financial resources: obey God, rather than men, in how you will use them.
Ask God to give you the wisdom to recognize your limits. Then start building space into your life—and experience the joy that comes when you’re not living on overload.
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