Burnout can be experienced in a variety of ways. Because our bodies, souls, minds, and spirits are integrated parts of a greater whole, the following types of burnout often come together and have a compounding effect on each other:
- Physical burnout can be triggered by a lack of exercise, physical effects of stress and sleeplessness. The overloaded schedule and stressful lives cause you to forget to exercise, you eat unhealthy foods, and sleep less. If left unchecked, physical burnout can cause a weakened immune system, aches and pains, a change in appetite, and feeling tired all the time.
- Relational burnout is related to emotional burnout and can be caused by strained relationships. Constant interactions with energy draining people make you unusually susceptible to this type of burnout. Physical exhaustion and drama among others can make you isolate yourself to get a break from relationships that drain your energy.
- Emotional burnout can be felt when you feel like you don't have anyone you can go to when you are anxious or stressed out. This type of burnout can wreak a family because of the feelings of isolation. Emotional burnout can numb your ability to have normal emotions and have a sense of failure and self-doubt.
- Spiritual burnout happens when you neglect your own spiritual life while trying to pour into the lives of others. Many of us do not have anybody pouring into our lives and we do not seek the life and strength of God for spiritual refreshment. If you don’t spend time with God through prayer or Scripture reading, you may be suffering from spiritual burnout!
God wants you to rest, to recharge, and to recover from the hustle and bustle stress, anxiety, and worry of life. He wants you to rest so much that he commanded it.
The Commandment with the most written about it is the one commanding rest.
Exodus 20:8-11 (NLT)8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work,10 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.11 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.
What we forget is that God is ever faithful to provide all that we need in Him to accomplish His kingdom work.
Exodus 15:2 (NLT) The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him— my father’s God, and I will exalt him!
I read a prayer today, written by Emma Danzey and published on Godtube, for all of us that struggle with trying to do it all on our own.
Lord Almighty,
We praise you that You are not confined by this world. We are so thankful that You never grow tired or weary, that You never need sleep, and that You never miss a moment. You are sovereign and holy and worthy of being praised. We acknowledge that we are weak, and we are imperfect. We need You to be our rock today. We ask that You help us to have stability even if our circumstances are swirling around us.
Father, we pray that You would meet us where we are at. We thank You that You care for all our needs, big and small. Please remind us that You are working behind the scenes even when we cannot see the results. Jesus, fill us up so that we can have the Spiritual strength to serve and point others to You today. Help us to love well and to make an impact on those around us not by our own efforts but by Your Holy Spirit. Remind us that regardless of if we have physical or emotional ailments that limit our strength, that we have a spiritual strength that can ever grow even if our bodies are weakened. Grow our spiritual strength in You by Your Spirit and through Your Word. Show up powerfully.
God, we pray for loved ones who are feeling weak and who You care for and see. We ask that You help us to have the strength to love them well. Help us to speak words of life in them that would encourage them in their struggles. Lord, sometimes our greatest need is for You to be our strength when loved ones are weak. Please remind us that they are in Your capable hands and that You care for them. Show them how much You provide for them in each moment.
Lord, You say in Isaiah 40:31, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”
As we remember You as our Strength today, help us to ponder this in our hearts. We ask that You do what You say and that is that You will and renew us. When we feel we are at our end, when we are weary, tired, or heavily burdened, give us renewal in You. Strength us to new heights that only You can. We praise You in advance for the ways that You give to us all that we need each day. Give us the vision to see from Your perspective that You are working everything out in Your way and in Your time. Even when life feels hard or taxing, remind us of Your grace on the journey and that You are always by our sides. Amen.