How to Avoid Burnout
“Then the word of the Lord Almighty came to me: “Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?”
Today’s Text: Zechariah 7:1-14 (Living Life Daily Devotional)
During the fourth year of King Darius, a delegation from Bethel came to the temple at Jerusalem to ask whether they should continue the annual fasts observed during exile. God, speaking through Zechariah, challenged their motives. Their fasting had become routine; it was not for Him but for themselves. God desires sincere obedience over empty ritual, including practicing justice, showing mercy, and protecting the vulnerable. Sadly, the people of the past hardened their hearts, ignored God, and faced His judgment, leaving the land desolate.
Recently, I felt the weight of a busy summer of ministry and realized I was at risk of pouring out more than I was being filled. To reconnect with God and prevent burnout, I booked a few days at an Airbnb in Joshua Tree, a rugged and quiet desert wilderness which is perfect for solitude, reflection, and prayer. Like Jesus, who often withdrew to quiet places, I recognized the importance of pausing to rekindle my heart for God. When I ended my week of vacation and rest, I was so refreshed and I felt ready to jump back in. When I went back into the office, the first comment people were making was that I was “glowing” and it is certainly true, I felt very much rested. I praise and thank God for that time.
During this time of rest, I spent time to do the following activities:
Prayerful hikes – Before going on the morning or night hike, I wrote out the prayer topics and prayed specifically for each.
Reading – Books on spiritual leadership, growth, productivity, mental awareness, and a biography about a faithful Christian.
Journaling – Writing highs and lows of the year, priorities, and reflections to gain a bird’s-eye view of my spiritual life. Seeing what God is teaching.
Reconnecting with friends – Seeing my friends outside of church and ministry. Connecting and enjoying a joyful time together and reflecting on 15+ years of friendship
Family time – Laughing at funny stories told by my dad and step-mom about the past. Deepening our relationship simply by more presence during this vacation.
Limiting distractions – Turning off and turning on “Do Not Disturb” for apps like Kakaotalk or other ministry-specific apps, leaving my laptop at home, and creating intentional space for God.
And then from my time of rest, I used it as an opportunity to prepare ahead. Here are 5 key things I made a decision during my time of rest and solitude with the Lord.
Prioritize intimate relationship with God - Daily prayer, devotions, and personal worship to keep my heart aligned with Him.
Setting healthy boundaries - Learning to say “no” when necessary to avoid overcommitting. Protecting my personal time in the off-hours and rest days. Keeping a habit of a good sleep schedule for rest and recharge during the night.
Plan intentional time of spiritual rest - Jesus purposefully retreated to quiet places to pray. Scheduling mini-retreats (not just for a vacation but purposefully scheduling times of renewal) and quiet times to recharge spiritually.
Start delegating and sharing responsibilities - Letting go of pride and trusting others to serve alongside me.
Find someone to help - Albert Mohler mentions this as one of the ways to avoid burnout, to go help somebody. This doesn’t giving advice or preaching but just putting up a dry wall or helping with groceries.
God is not impressed by empty traditions or rituals done with sincere faith. He desires the heart that is genuinely devoted to Him. A sincere relationship with God will naturally flow into how we treat others. True worship is not about how loud we sing or how often we fast, it is about how deeply we love God and live out His truth in obedience to His will. God wants our affection before our activity, our presence before our performance.
Almighty Father in Heaven, forgive me for the times I have served You without seeking You. Teach me to rest in Your presence and love You deeply again. Rekindle my heart so that my service flows from devotion rather than obligation. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
