This is the third time my son and I have gone over this lesson. I almost feel the hairs on my head turning grey as I try desperately to work with the smartphone to pull another dot from the graph and make a rectangle with the correct perimeter expression.
This is our eighth year of home school and with eight children, you probably guessed, I have my hands full.
My little ones dance around my feet and play while the eldest and I rack our brains and finally … FINALLY get the answers correct.
I rush to help my daughter with her reading lesson then bounce to the kitchen to prepare lunch. Later tonight, it’s time to work.
Mothers are amazing. It’s like God has given us supernatural power to be multi-taskers, taking care of home, work, ministry and friends all while retaining our sanity.
But dear sister, let’s be real, some of us have become burned out.
Recently, I experienced a heaviness so great that I thought the burden wouldn’t lift. I wasn’t able to focus, exhaustion overwhelmed me and all I could do was pray. I was running my self dry and not being filled. Have you been there?
I believe burnout comes through several channels. Here are just a few…
Lack of Boundaries
We can stretch ourselves too thin with meeting the demands of everyone around us. Our family, friends, churches, businesses or jobs are pulling at us from every direction.
We desperately need to learn how to set margins around our time and boundaries in our life.
Those times when we feel a strong sense of overwhelm, we’d be wise to ask, “when was the last time I had a day off?”
I had to be honest with my husband when my health began to take a toll. I needed a day away without him, our kids, work or responsibilities. He agreed.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28–30
Spiritual Attacks
The next thing we need to consider when burnout is calling our name is spiritual attacks. If you’ve been a believer for more than five days, you may have seen an increase of stress in your life.
You are targeted by the enemy and it does him no greater pleasure than to, “wear out the saints.” When you are effective against his kingdom be sure and know he will come out with his claws.
But there is hope. You have the power to overcome him by removing toxins from your life that give power to him and drain yours. Watch what you watch (TV and movies), what you choose to listen to, and who you entertain (even if it’s family). Those are avenues which can open the door to demonic attack.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. – 1 Peter 5:8
Good Works Aren’t Always God works
Years ago, I found myself experiencing burnout which came because I was very busy with good works. Good works aren’t always God works and when we lack discernment to know the difference, we will feel overwhelmed and burned out.
You may have a burning desire to be a ministry leader when God is calling you to a season of silence.
Many people want to lead but they don’t have it within them to withstand the test, temptations and trials of influence.
There is a necessary season of silence, coupled with struggle which God uses to mold our characters for the ultimate purposes of our lives.
But if we’re in a hurry to ‘be something,’ in the future we will miss the moment we are called to in the present.
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
And [a]Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:40-42
Everyday we should take stock of our peace tank. If His peace has left, it was not Him who moved.
So whether we’re abased or abound, let us learn to be content in whatever circumstance we are in.
For we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. – Philippians 4:13
- When You’re Spiritually Burned Out - October 11, 2018
