Anyone else ever felt completely drained, overwhelmed, or just plain exhausted? Like you have nothing left in the tank?! Let me assure you, you’re not alone.
So you’re probably searching the Googs and Tubes asking things like, How do I sleep better, How do I get more energy? How do I clean my house in one day? How do I get my family to help me around the house more? How do I lower my blood pressure/heart rate? What is self-care? How much are house cleaners and meal delivery kits? What is a staycation?
Then escapes begin to happen…running away from things or people. Avoiding, because you don’t feel like you have anything in the tank to give. Then we catch ourselves chasing our own tails, bouncing from here to there, everywhere!
Feel seen? I see you, you are not alone.
Burnout is something many of us experience and I believe we can do a lot to avoid it. Let’s chat about what burnout is, how it can show up in our lives, and some practical steps to help us find rest and renewal.
What Is Burnout?
It’s living in the constant fog…or depletion. You feel exasperated 99% of your day…day after day. It’s that feeling of being physically, emotionally, and mentally wiped out. You may feel:
- Overwhelmed and unable to keep up with every day things
- A lack of motivation or interest in things you used to love
- Emotional fatigue, where you just want to detach from everything
- Physically like constant tiredness, tight muscles, shallow breathing, trouble sleeping
Burnout can happen in our jobs, our ministries, or even in our personal relationships. And here’s the thing: experiencing burnout doesn’t mean you’re failing or that your faith is weak. It’s a sign that something needs to change.
The good news is that God knows all about our need for rest. In fact, He set the example for us! Remember in Genesis when God rested on the seventh day after creating the world? He knew the importance of taking a break.
And then there’s Jesus, who said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Isn’t that comforting? God invites us to come to Him when we’re feeling burnt out.
So, how can we avoid burnout and find that refreshing rest? Here are some practical steps you can take:
- Prioritize Your Time with God: Matthew 6:33, seek Him first! Spend time in prayer and soak in the Scriptures. Soak in the time with Him and allow yourself to listen, to be held. Let God’s presence fill you up and refresh your spirit and reset your heart, soul and mind.
- Practice Sabbath: Set aside regular time for rest and worship. Rest isn't just taking a nap or doom scrolling. Rest as in Letting Go, surrendering all that is on you and before you. It’s essential to disconnect from work and responsibilities to recharge and that true surrendered-rest can be incorporated daily as part of your every day habits!
- Set Boundaries: I know us big hearted people don't like saying NO, but sometimes we need to. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup!
- Connect with Community: Surround yourself with fellow believers who can support and encourage you. As Galatians 6:2 reminds us, “Bear one another’s burdens.” You don’t need a ton of friends, but you do need some. I believe if we got better at nurturing our friendships, burdens would feel lighter in life, therefore life would feel lighter.
- Take Care of Your Body: Get moving, stay hydrated, eat well, take your supplements and prioritize sleep. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), so treat it with care. This is why I love the jumpstart so much! If you have other things going on, make the appointment! Stop putting yourself off.
- Reassess Your Priorities: Take a moment to reflect on your commitments. Are they in line with God’s calling for your life? Is there anything you can delegate or share with another. Perhaps re-organizing them in order in your day or for a season, may be necessary to avoid burning yourself out. There is a season for everything!
I love these encouraging verses:
- “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
- “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
As Christians, we have a beautiful opportunity to lean in to our faith for strength and renewal. By recognizing the signs of burnout and taking practical steps to care for ourselves, we can find the rest we need.
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. God is with you every step of the way, and He longs for you to find peace in Him. Let’s take that step together!
I did a funny LIVE today on my Facebook about our BUT GOD moments the ones we declare and the ones we skirt away from...check it out HERE if you want!
I’d love for you to join my online community if you are looking for one! It’s not a lot of hype…mostly Jesus & Coffee as I find my own footing for us, together!
Be BLESSED!!!!
Hugs & Love,
Michele
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Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
