picture courtesy of punditandpundatte.com
After reading yesterday’s post your response might have been one of defeat.
The schedule we keep is daunting. Perhaps you are great at having “boundaries” but your leadership doesn’t have any. If you are like me the struggle is you can tend to be more driven than called. Either way it can translate into days off that are actually “on,” living on an IV of caffeine, and racing through life. One youth pastor friend once told me, ”I never thought that I could get burnt out doing what I love for whom I love.”
You know, but what are some practical steps you can take to get off this lunatic merry-go-round?
Remember How YOU Love Jesus:
I connect with Christ through music. Some days, I put in my headphones, close my eyes and sing along. It refreshes me. For me being outside in His creation, talking with Him, soaking in His power is vital. I have to put aside time for this. Our love affair with the Savior must last a lifetime. What do you do that reminds you, you are connected to the Lord? When is the last time you took the time just for HIM?
The Rule Of 3:
Part of our problem becomes isolationism. Perhaps we told someone our dirty secret and they told us something like a former pastor told me. If I just understood that the Sabbath wasn’t a day off it was a lifestyle I would be fine. ”Jesus never took a day off, he simply stole away for a moment,” was what he said. So I would take the time and sit with God and my mind was everywhere else. I didn’t change. I just stopped telling people about it. That was the problem. I needed others to keep me focused on Jesus.
Who are 3 people you can be honest with? Let them check in with you. I suggest this combo: One person who has known you forever, that you trust, one person who does what you do but in another church or ministry and one person who is NOT in ministry but local. This may take some work but find them. Then listen to their advice. If they tell you to take a day off then do it. Truth only sounds trite because it is simple. Make the effort.
Do something you like to do- but don’t have to do.
Through a series of events I have taken up running this year. It has become an outlet for stress release. Nope I don’t have time to do it, but I need it. I like it, and the way it makes me feel like I accomplished something on days when everything else feels out of control. What do you enjoy? Reading, writing, skeet shooting, watching Duck Dynasty? This is a vital step to coming out of the spiral. Put aside something for a moment and just do something you LIKE to do.
Scheduling is a post all on it’s own, and that we will tackle tomorrow. This is not an exhaustive list, it is merely some starting steps to come out of this season of life. Remember you are NOT ALONE. Many of us have been there and just might be there at this moment in time.
What are you doing to practically conquer your burn out?