Avoiding the Burnout Trap

You might not feel like you’re running on empty, but maybe your soul’s been flashing the check engine light for a while. If you’ve been going and going, thinking you can squeeze out just a little more before crashing, this might be for you.

Jesus gave us a better way.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”– Matthew 11:28

When the Warning Lights Start Flashing

Picture this: You’re driving down the road, lights flashing on the dashboard, engine sputtering, but you think, “I’ll make it a little further.” Then the car dies, and you’re stranded. That’s how burnout hits. The warning signs are there, but we just keep going.

Burnout isn’t just a workplace problem. It affects students, parents, retirees, and even the most faithful church members.

So what are the warning signs?

• Emotional and physical exhaustion – not just tired, but tired in your bones and brain.

• Mental fog – like you’re walking through thick mud mentally.

• Cynicism and detachment – snapping at people, withdrawing, feeling numb.

• Spiritual dryness – Bible reading feels like reading the phone book. Prayers bounce off the ceiling. The joy is gone.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

Even King David had to ask himself, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?” (Psalm 42:5). Elijah, after a massive spiritual victory on Mount Carmel, hit rock bottom under a juniper tree and said, “Lord, I’m done.”

If it can happen to them, it can happen to you and me.

Burnout Doesn’t Happen Overnight

It’s slow. Like a leaky tractor tire that looks fine—until the bead breaks loose and you’re stuck.

Or like my old 1959 Chevy that had a cracked A-frame. It didn’t break while speeding down the highway—it broke when I was creeping through a bumpy parking lot. The damage was already done. It just needed the final bump.

That’s burnout. It creeps in, and if we’re not paying attention, it can break us.

The Danger of Ignoring the Signs

Galatians 6:9 says:

“Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

God never said stop doing good. He said don’t grow weary doing it. If we faint—if we collapse under the weight—we’re not helping anyone.

And here’s the hard truth: burnout affects more than just you. It can strain your relationships, cloud your thinking, and dry up your spiritual life.

Sometimes we push so hard, thinking we’re being spiritual, when in reality, we’re operating on fumes. Like I used to do in Bible college—full class schedule, full-time work, bus ministry, soulwinning, and street preaching. I was surrounded by preaching and ministry, but inside, I was running on empty. Spiritually, it was the driest time of my life.

You can be in church every week and still be spiritually dried out.

So What’s the Solution?

Jesus gave the answer.

“Take my yoke upon you… and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”– Matthew 11:29

Here’s how we avoid the burnout trap:

1. Prioritize Rest and Renewal

Yes, God wants us to work. But He also designed us to rest. Even Jesus stepped away from the crowds to rest and pray (Mark 6:31).

You don’t have to feel guilty about taking a nap, having a quiet moment, or enjoying a simple joy like sitting under a shade tree with a glass of iced tea.

The old storyteller Aesop once told a critic, “If a bow is always strung, it’ll snap. Loosen the string when it’s not in use.” That applies to us too.

2. Rely on God’s Strength, Not Your Own

1 Peter 5:7 reminds us: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

You’re the wick. The Holy Spirit is the oil. If you burn without His strength, you’re just burning yourself up. Let Him be your fuel.

3. Live With Eternal Perspective

This world isn’t all there is. And not every distraction is sinful—but too many can pull your eyes off Christ. Burnout isn’t always the result of bad things, but of too many things.

Hudson Taylor called it “the exchanged life”—trading your strength for God’s. That’s where the real power is.

4. Sharpen the Axe

Remember the story of old Jacob and young Eli, chopping trees? The young man worked without stopping, while Jacob rested every hour to sharpen his axe. Guess who won?

Take time to sharpen your axe. Take time with the Lord. Don’t just swing harder—swing smarter.

Burnout isn’t something to be proud of. It’s not a badge of honor. It’s a warning light. And Jesus isn’t standing by with a guilt trip—He’s offering rest.

Ask Yourself:

– Am I seeing any warning signs in my life?

– Is my soul rested or restless?

– When was the last time I truly rested in Christ?

– Am I trying to serve God in my own strength instead of His?

Let Him renew your strength. Lay down the burden of burnout, and take up His yoke instead.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…”– Isaiah 40:31

You’re not alone. And you’re not meant to carry it all by yourself.

A Prayer for the Weary:

“Lord, I’m tired. My body is tired, my heart is tired, and sometimes my faith feels tired. Help me to stop striving in my own strength. Teach me to rest in You. Restore my joy. Refresh my soul. Help me to serve You—not out of pressure, but out of peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

If you're feeling the weight of burnout right now, you're not alone. Don’t carry it quietly. Reach out to a trusted friend, a pastor, or even reply to this post. Let’s walk through it together. Watch the entire message on Avoiding the Burnout Trap for more insight and encouragement!