Defining Burnout

Proverbs 12:25 (NIV) states, "Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up." This scripture reminds us that feelings of anxiety and stress are not new concepts to this generation only; it's nothing new. In fact, Ecclesiastes 1:9 tells us, "There is nothing new under the sun." Even during biblical times, people faced emotional stress and exhaustion.

How do you define burnout?

When the demands placed on you exceed the resources that are available to you, that's a perfect recipe for burnout. Have you felt like there is so much expected of you that it exceeds the resources that are available to you? If you live life like that, even for some time, let me warn you, you are headed for burnout.

Burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when an individual feels overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands. As the stress continues, they begin to lose interest and motivation in the very thing that God called them to do. Burnout can lead to a decline in overall health and well-being. It affects not only the individual experiencing burnout but also impacts all their relationships, and the environment gets so toxic.

You transform into the figurative bulldog in the household. Every time your spouse attempts to engage in conversation, you unexpectedly snap back at them, leaving them feeling hurt and confused. Your children, simply seeking a casual chat, are met with your unprovoked rants, which dampen their spirits. The atmosphere at home grows tense and toxic as family members begin to question your presence. They wonder if it would be more pleasant if you remained at the office instead, sparing them from the emotional strain of your unpredictable behaviour.

Amidst a catastrophic flood, a man found himself stranded on his rooftop, praying fervently, "God, please save me." Finally, a helicopter arrived, but he shouted back, "God will save me!"

As the water level continued to rise, a motorboat approached, but the man stubbornly insisted, "God will save me!" The deluge intensified, and a brave swimmer appeared, offering the last life jacket, pleading with the man to take it. Yet again, the man refused, certain that God would save him. Then, inevitably, the floodwaters overtook him, and he was swept away, ultimately arriving in heaven.

There, everyone stood in line, eagerly awaiting their chance to meet Lord Jesus. Everyone was smiling except the man, who wore a deep frown. Jesus approached him, shook his hand, welcomed him to heaven, and asked about the reason for his unhappy expression. The man replied, "I prayed three times, but You didn't save me." Jesus responded, "Oh, you're upset about that."

Lord Jesus gently explained, "My son, we need to clarify some things. First, when the helicopter arrived, I sent it to rescue you, but you turned it away. Second, I also sent the lifeboat, but you refused that as well. Lastly, I personally swam to you, offering a life jacket, yet you didn't even acknowledge me."

As the man listened, he realised that help had come in different forms, but his expectations had blinded him to the divine assistance that was there all along. So please dont be like this man; treat this message as a lifeline.

Defining Burnout

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