No one wants to face BURNOUT. It’s the threshold where everyone around you is irritating. Moving through the day is like running through mud. And at the end of the week you are totally wiped.
Courtesy of JefferyTurner/Creative Commons License
You will face periods of burnout in ministry. Burnout is a sign that you need to step back and gain a fresh perspective. If you want to serve in ministry for the long haul you need to address burnout by:
If you don’t have boundaries then you will hit burnout frequently. To help you set boundaries you need to:
When you create limits in your life you have set up guardrails from going off the deep end. Know your limits and start working within them.
Accountability is key. You need to give certain people in your life permission to say, “You look tired, is everything okay?” and you need to be honest with them.
You need people looking at your life from the outside. When people are praying for you, looking out for you and giving you a fresh perspective it will give you a chance to thrive.
Use your time off wisely. Don’t just squander it by sleeping the day away or keeping busy. Look at what you do and determine whether it leaves you energized or depleted.
It will differ person to person, but it should be something where you feel God’s presence. It could be a retreat, a hike, working in your garden or just reading. Make sure you feel refreshed.
Set times when you can’t be disturbed. Maybe it’s after a certain time during the week where you no longer answer phone calls or check email. On vacation try putting your phone away and be present to what’s around you.
The more you can disconnect from the noise the more you feel God’s presence. Turn it off, put it away and let God restore you.
How’s your relationship with God? You need to constantly examine how you are growing in Christ. There will be periods where it’s more challenging than others, but you need to keep working at it.
Take retreats, join a small group and observe the Sabbath. Make sure you are talking with Him, so that you are reminded that you cannot do this on your own. God will guide you and restore you.
Burnout is not fun. It will rob you of the joy that comes with ministry. Make sure you are doing what it takes endure the journey. When you embrace the right habits you are given tools to go the distance.
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