No One is Immune

1 Thessalonians 5:23 tells us, "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Man is a tripartite being. He is a spirit, has a soul and lives in a body. Burnout can happen in all these three areas. Burnout can occur in the physical, emotional, and spiritual areas of life.

It can take days and, in some cases, even weeks to recover from burnout. So, ideally, you want to spot potential symptoms early before they become chronic. In this way, you can take steps to pull yourself back from the brink before the situation becomes too problematic.

We will now take a look at the life of Elijah, the man of God. Elijah, a significant biblical figure, was an extraordinary man of God. Just as Moses represented the law, Elijah represented the Prophets. The meeting of Moses and Elijah with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration held great significance. It illustrated that both the law and the prophets were supporting and validating Jesus' impending sacrifice on the cross at Calvary.

The presence of these two crucial figures from the Old Testament demonstrated a connection between the past and Jesus' mission. Their endorsement reinforced the divine plan and showcased the continuity of God's message throughout history. This powerful moment brought together the law, the prophets, and the Messiah, affirming the fulfilment of God's promise and the beginning of a new era.

If a great man of God like Elijah, who represented the prophetic in the Bible, experienced burnout, don't think for a moment that you are immune to burnout - no one is. We must be cautious and acknowledge our vulnerabilities. Paul the Apostle cautioned us, saying, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12)

Many people may seem fine on the surface, but putting on a facade for too long can be damaging. Embracing our humanity, with its limitations and imperfections, is essential to maintaining our well-being. Ignoring the reality of burnout can lead to severe consequences down the line. Acknowledging the risk and taking preventive measures can help us maintain balance and avoid reaching a breaking point.

After praying fervently for 3 ½ years, Elijah prophetically declared the end of the famine. As a testament to his faith and connection with God, the hand of the Lord, which signifies the Spirit of God, came upon Elijah. In a remarkable display of divine power, Elijah girded up his loins, gathered his long robes, and ran ahead of King Ahab's chariots all the way to the entrance of Jezreel (1 Kings 18:46). During that time, Ahab's chariots were considered the pinnacle of transportation, much like today's high-end vehicles like Mercedes and BMWs.

It is crucial to recognise that while the hand of God was upon Elijah, he was still operating in the physical realm. The same applies to us: the Spirit of God may be with us, but we are still working within our physical bodies. As Paul, the Apostle, wrote, "Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16).

No One is Immune

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