Four Steps to Overcoming Burnout

Every leader hits burnout at some point. It’s something we all face—it’s universal. And here’s the kicker: Burnout doesn’t just happen once and then you’re done with it. It can show up again and again throughout your ministry.

But the good news is, burnout is curable. 

In my last Toolbox article, we looked at four signs that you’re experiencing burnout — depreciating your worth, underrating your work, exaggerating your problems, and abdicating your dreams. If you’ve seen those signs in your ministry, don’t give up hope. God provided Elijah a path to recovery, and he offers the same for you.

Here are the four steps Elijah took that you can take too:

1. Rest and care for your body. Of course, there’s a physical component to burnout. When you’re discouraged and looking to give up, exhaustion is normal.
   
   When you’re feeling burnt out, getting some rest is crucial. That’s exactly what Elijah did in 1 Kings 19. After he begged God to let him die (see verse 4), he lay down under a bush and fell asleep. Later, an angel woke him up and told him to eat.
   
   When Elijah was experiencing burnout, God didn’t give him a lecture or scold him. God’s starting point for overcoming burnout is simple: Rest and eat.
   
   When you’re worn out, it’s easy to feel defeated. God made your body and knows how important it is for you to take care of it. For some people, a solid night’s sleep can change their entire perspective and recharge their ministry.  
2. Release your frustrations. Sometimes you may hesitate to share your true feelings with God. Yet any area of our life you can’t talk about is out of control. You need to face your frustrations before you can find healing.
   
   Notice in the story of Elijah that God wasn’t afraid of anything that was on the prophet’s heart. That’s why God asks, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”(1 Kings 19:9 NIV). God was ready for whatever Elijah said.
   
   After God’s question, Elijah lets his guard down and shares the wide range of emotions he’s struggling with—fear, worry, depression, bitterness, and even anger.
   
   If you don’t talk about emotions like those, you’ll take them out on yourself. None of those emotions surprised God. God never told Elijah he shouldn’t feel like he was feeling. God just listened.
   
   No matter what feelings you have that have contributed to your burnout, God will listen until you run out of words. 
3. Refocus on God. You need a fresh awareness of God’s power and presence in your life. God tells Elijah to spend time with him alone, and the Lord puts on a spectacular multi-media event for the prophet.
   
   “The LORD said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:11-12 NIV).
   
   God was reminding Elijah of God’s unmatched power—the same power he had shown during the showdown with the prophets of Baal. Even though things looked really bad, God was still fully in control. It’s as if God was saying to Elijah, “Keep your eyes on me, not on your problems.”
   
   The root of all burnout is trying to play God. When you start acting like you must do everything on your own, you’re setting yourself up for burnout. You were never created to be the manager of your own life.
   
   Take some time to focus on God’s power and sovereignty. Remind yourself that your title is pastor—not God of the universe. Let go of your need to control. 
4. Recommit yourself to serving others. God sends Elijah back to the ministry he had called him to. This time he tells the prophet to bring friends along to help. God said, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet” (1 Kings 19:15-16 NIV).
   
   God wanted Elijah to understand that his ministry wasn’t over. The Lord still had more work for him to do—and God didn’t want him to do it alone.
   
   God has more for you to do, too. Like Jesus promised, you’re going to find the life you were meant to live by giving yours away (Mark 8:35). Use your gifts. Focus on helping others. Joy and significance come from service.

Notice that God’s recovery plan for burnout includes all four dimensions of your life—physical, spiritual, emotional, and relational. You’re a four-dimensional person, and God’s recovery plan takes that into account.

I know this works because I’ve experienced burnout in ministry. At the end of my first year of pastoring Saddleback, I collapsed. I had no more energy to give. I was frazzled emotionally, physically, spiritually, and relationally. 

But God didn’t give up on me. Slowly, he brought me back. 

He’ll bring you back, too. He isn’t through with you.