‘We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you.’ (2 Corinthians 10:13, NLT)
Introduction
What is burnout really? It’s not just being tired. It’s your body and soul throwing up a red flag, telling you that you’ve pushed for too long, without space to rest, recharge, or just breathe. In Christian circles we tend to spotlight high-capacity people. We read the books, hear the podcasts, follow the conferences and wonder why we can’t be as always switched on, always busy, always giving as the people on the platforms. But here’s the truth no conference ever tells you… that level of output is the exception, not the norm. For most of us, it isn’t healthy. We shouldn’t compare ourselves to the few high-capacity folk. Nor should we feel bad for not matching up. Instead of just celebrating high-performance, let’s champion the plodders, the consistent, the ones who show up and turn up without the fanfare. In this session, Corin suggests that burnout doesn’t arrive all at once, in creeps in slowly. This video is your pause button. A chance to check in with yourself, because ministry isn’t just about pouring out, it’s about filling up and staying whole.
⏵ Play the video: Burnout Part 1
PART 1 | Reflection Questions
- How have I been responding to people lately? Am I easily irritated, short-tempered, less patient than usual
- Am I resistant to change more than I used to be? Does even the smallest disruption feel overwhelming? Am I experiencing mood swings? Think of a recent example, and consider your emotions, thinking and behaviour.
- How has my productivity been? Are everyday tasks taking longer or feeling harder to complete? Why is that?
Sustainable ministry doesn’t mean pushing through, it means learning to pull back before we fall apart. It means building rest into the rhythm of our lives, not as luxury, but as a lifeline. It means carving out experiences that recharge us, not numb us. Sometimes it’s the small incremental steps, trimming the workload where we can, learning to say ‘no’ and not feeling guilty. Ah, but what about that voice in your head that says, ‘If I don’t do it, who will?’ Well, Corin has something to say about that too.
⏵ Play the video: Burnout Part 2
PART 2 |
💬 Response activity
Practice a breath-prayer.
Gently speak out the words, ‘Be still…’
Then inhale slowly for a count of four.
Hold in your breath for a count of four.
Exhale for a count of four.
Gently speak out, ‘…and know that I am God.’
Repeat at intervals throughout the day.
🤔 Final thought
You are not valued solely because of your ministry. You are not useful just because of the amount you carry. Nor are you weak just because your capacity doesn’t match up to the star of a bestseller bio. You are loved whether you slam-dunk that goal or not. Jesus is far more interested in your heart than your output. He is gentle and humble with your heart. Not disappointed. Nor impatient. But kind. He leans to you now in kindness, not condemnation. He calls you to burn, not burn out, for him. His rest is given, not earned. So come to him, weary or irritable, angry or exhausted. He doesn’t want the ‘I’ve got this’ you, no, he wants the ‘flawed and fatigued’ you. So, come as you are.
🙏 Prayer
Keep me on a low flame, Lord.
Keep me gently burning,
Consistently burning.
Burning for you,
But not burning out.
Let the heart of me
Burn like the bush before Moses
With your voice heard in its flames.
Lit alight
But not burning up.
And where my flame
Has been put out
By busyness,
By negligence,
By others,
I pray
You’d spark me back into life.
Save me from overload
And give me your light load.
Amen
This devotional was written by Matt Britton, and the accompanying videos were written and presented by Corin Pilling.