The Way Out of Burnout, part 3

We all face some level of discouragement, but we must avoid living in that state of mind before a total loss of energy results, and we experience burnout.

 

What are the common mistakes we make when we focus like Elijah did, on a faulty expectation, a wrong perspective, and then fail to get the necessary rest we need?

 

The first mistake Elijah makes is he runs: “And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life” (1 Kings 19:3). These verses in 1 Kings 19:1-8 stand in stark contrast to all we have seen in Elijah’s life up to this point. Previously, he only moved when God spoke to him. It was God who told him to go to the Brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:3). It was God who told him to arise and go to Zarephath (1 Kings 17:9). It was God who told him to go and appear before Ahab (1 Kings 18:1). Now, Elijah takes matters into his own hands. He arises and runs for his life without the Word of the Lord directing him.

 

Another error of Elijah is he gives up. “He requested for himself that he might die” (1 Kings19:4a). Elijah’s burnout has transformed him from a high achiever into a spectator, sitting under a juniper tree.

 

Winston Churchill gave a speech on October 29,1941 during the dark days of World War II. He said: “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never-in nothing, in great or small, large or petty-never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never give in.”

 

Good advice indeed!

 

Many people experience burnout in ministry and so quit and return home. Others quit their marriages, their pursuit of a degree in school, their church, or from their responsibility to bring up their children in God’s nurture and admonition.

 

Are you feeling like giving up? Remember that it is never time to quit.

 

A third mistake of Elijah is he compares. “I am not better than my fathers” (1 Kings 19:4b). He compares himself to those who were slain by the sword for worshiping the golden calf, to those who were consumed by fire, to those who were bitten of snakes, or to those disobedient rebels who were swallowed by the earth (Exodus 32:27,28; Numbers 11:1,2; 16:31-35; 21:6). Elijah thinks God should just send some judgment to end his life!

 

When you start comparing yourself to others, you set yourself up for burnout. Why? We most often compare our weaknesses to other people’s strengths. The Scripture is clear: do not compare.

 

2 Corinthians 10:12 says, that people “comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”

 

Comparing is easy to do, but it is never wise. Students compare their grades in school. Parents compare their children’s achievements. Pastors compare the size of their church to another ministry. Adults compare their salaries, houses, cars, all to their own detriment. God has a special plan for each of our lives that is unlike anyone else. Trust Him to do His special work for you and through you that will be your unique story.

 

A final error of the burned out Elijah is he exaggerates the problem. Elijah sulks while engaging in a pity party: “I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (1 Kings 19:10).

 

Although the circumstances are bad, they are not as awful as Elijah perceives. They seldom are. Elijah’s perspective is clouded by the “I” syndrome. When we overstate our importance we often exaggerate the problem. A burned out person will be tempted to dramatize the crisis and say things like: “Everyone hates me!” “No one loves me!” “I will never get that job!”

 

The fact is, only one person wanted Elijah dead, and that was a person who was not even a true Israelite, Jezebel. When you hit the bottom in depression, circumstances look a whole lot worse than they really are.

 

Are you experiencing depression and have a strong desire to run or give up? Are you constantly comparing yourself to others successes and exaggerating the problem? If you are in this state of mind, do not make any major decisions. Get alone with God and open His inspired Word.

 

Proverbs 16:24 says, “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” God’s Word is that sweet word your soul craves. God’s Word satisfies and strengthens us to continue.

 

Proverbs 12:25 says, “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” Scripture is that good word that can make the depressed heart glad.

 

So far we have covered the causes and consequences of burnout. In the final article we will see the cure and way out of burnout.