Burnout: the lack of desire for things previously pursued with passion and energy. The right motive once drove the goal, but somewhere along the way, little things built up into a great wall that caught fire and then died into a smoking pile of ashes.
How does it happen? Those who serve wholeheartedly start experiencing a lack of recognition, more demands, fewer resources given, and unexpected failures. In fact, it is far easier to claim the servant life voluntarily than to be treated as one. Ministry often ignites the giant question, “Why in the world am I doing this?”
Spend any amount of time in Christian service, and everyone will experience varying levels of burnout. Only those who remember whom they serve will overcome and stay faithful.
Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Matthew 22:35-37
Before we get any further, we need to define what comprises ministry. Is it only the things done in the realm of employment or church ministry? In fact, Paul said that everything done is to be done for God’s glory. Ministry, therefore, includes motherhood, the care of a family and home, the little things done that no one notices unless left undone.
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Before his death, A.W. Tozer wrote, “A person is known by the passion that drives him day after day through thick and thin. What is needed today is passion, but more defined, a passion for God, a deep desire to know God as He desires to be known.” (Delighting in God, 24).
Unfortunately, ministry offers a host of other gods that the Christian servant must sift through to find the One he is commanded to love above all else. Just consider the list in the first paragraph of things that often lead to burnout.
The first one is so subtle, it creeps in without fanfare: the god of recognition. Does anyone see how hard I work? Does this even matter? Sadly, a taste of recognition leads many to pursue it more than the One they claim to love. Jesus becomes a platform to gain influence, fame, and sometimes a little extra cash on the side. Selling Jesus has become big business.
The lack of recognition can drive envy, jealousy, comparison, and ingratitude. Again, the priority falls from loving God with all the heart, mind, soul, and strength, to pursuing the god of self. Part of the sinful nature that follows believers until eternity will always be self on the throne rather than God. Self must be fought intentionally and strategically.
Secondly, more demands are placed on the servant than they would voluntarily choose. Is this not what Paul spoke of when he mentioned his willingness to spend and be spent?
15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. 2 Corinthians 12:15
Paul spends what he is willing to give, and yet more is demanded. Then, the decision must be made. Is Jesus worth the extra mile? Honestly, this is beyond human endurance; precisely the reason we need the Holy Spirit of God at work through frail, limited bodies. Jesus said it was impossible to do His work without Him, and yet believers burn out for just this reason. The “god of comfort, laziness, or the opposite—super-minister syndrome” must be laid aside for complete dependence on the one who calls His followers to His work.
Thirdly, fewer resources are offered, much like the Hebrew slaves required to make bricks without straw. Does it ever seem as if you are constantly being asked to do more with less? Does the wage offered barely stretch to cover the living expenses? This can often cause discouragement until the servant of God remembers where her provision is supposed to be found. Looking to people will lead to disillusionment and dissatisfaction. Looking to God, who promises to provide all needs, finds not only things, but the Giver Himself.
5 My soul, wait thou only upon God;
for my expectation is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation:
he is my defence; I shall not be moved. Psalms 62:5-6
Finally, the unexpected failures of ministry often lead to burnout. Too many believers have the mentality that they should never fail, or that failure is the worst thing that could happen. Pride is behind the idea that one will never experience failure. God, in fact, promises to use everything for good for those who love Him and are called according to His service. Even supposed failures are ultimately in the hands of the One who called the crucified Savior out of His tomb in glorious resurrection. What believers see as failure may be just the necessary thing that brings God glory and shapes them to look more like Jesus.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30
The god of perfection, then, must be laid aside in pursuit of the perfect God who makes no mistakes and overcomes human imperfection without fail.
If you are experiencing burnout, as all humans are prone to do, take heart and then realign your heart with His. Maybe it is time to remember your first love—Jesus. Lay aside the pursuit of things that die with this life and lift your gaze to the eternal. Jesus is all, and in all, and above all. He is the preeminent One.
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Colossians 1:9-18
His Song in the Night 