7 ways to avoid burnout according to the Bible

Burnout is super important and affects many of us, but it isn’t talked about enough. Before we dive in, think about something you love doing that makes you forget all your stress. Got it? Awesome, keep that in mind as we move forward.

Signs of burnout

What is burnout? Well, it’s when you feel totally drained, like your “battery” is just empty and won’t recharge, no matter how much you try. It’s more than just a bad day; it’s been feeling this way for a long time. Here’s how you can spot it:

• Physical Exhaustion: Always feeling tired, getting headaches, or falling sick often.
• Emotional Drain: Feeling hopeless, like nothing makes you happy or excited anymore.
• Reduced Performance: Having trouble getting stuff done because you’re just not feeling it.
• Detachment: Feeling disconnected from friends or hobbies you once loved.
• Cynicism: Not caring about things, feeling grumpy, and getting into arguments more.
• Changes in Sleep Patterns: Sleeping too much or not enough.
• Anxiety and Depression: Feeling super anxious or sad.
• Forgetfulness: Forgetting things and finding it hard to focus.
• Neglecting Self-Care: Ignoring your own needs, like eating healthy or exercising.
• Withdrawal: Pulling away from responsibilities.
• Loss of Meaning: Questioning if what you’re doing in life matters at all.

What the bible says about burnout

Now, let’s talk about how the bible fits into this. If you’ve ever felt like this, you’re not alone. Even in the Bible, people felt burnt out. But the cool part is, we’re invited to find peace and fresh energy through our faith.

Like in Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus tells us that we can come to Him when we’re all out of energy, and He will help us find rest. It’s like He’s offering to be our spiritual battery charger!

But how do we plug in? It’s not just about following rules; it’s about thinking, “What would Jesus do?” in our everyday lives.

How to avoid burnout

Burnout sometimes happens because we’re trying too hard to make everyone else happy or taking on too much. It’s like we’re pushing ourselves to match some superhero standards! Here are some typical reasons:

• Saying “yes” to everything.
• Trying to do everything ourselves because we want it “just right.”
• Not wanting to disappoint anyone.
• Trying to fix everything for everyone.
• Just wanting to be liked.

So, how do we fight burnout with faith? Here are some few tips from the bible:

1. Know Your Limits: Like when Elijah was super scared and just tired of everything (1 Kings 19:3-5), it’s okay to admit when it’s all too much.
2. Stay Positive: Challenge those downer thoughts. The Psalms (like Psalm 42:5-6) show us it’s okay to question why we’re sad but important to find hope in our faith.
3. Set Boundaries: It’s okay to say no sometimes, like when Martha was super stressed with preparations, and Mary chose to chill with Jesus instead (Luke 10:38-42).
4. Speak Up: Don’t be afraid to tell people what you need, like Bartimaeus, who wasn’t afraid to shout out to Jesus even when others shushed him (Mark 10:46-52).
5. Be Kind to Yourself: Remember, you deserve love and respect, just like Timothy who found strength through faith (1 Timothy 1:12-16).
6. Hang With Supportive People: Stick with those who uplift you, like how Jesus picked His closest friends (Luke 6:12-13).
7. Take Care of Yourself: Do things that refresh you. Jesus did that too, like when He took His disciples to a quiet place to rest (Mark 6:31-32).

Feeling burnt out is tough, but you’re not alone. And with these tips, maybe we can all find a bit more peace in our hearts and energy in our days. Remember, it’s all about balance, boundaries, and being true to yourself and your faith.

Stay strong and keep the faith!