Burnout: September 2, 2014

TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 21014.

BURNOUT

DEFINITION:

Fatigue, frustration, or apathy resulting from prolonged stress, over work or intense activity.

SCRIPTURE:

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62: 1-2

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Many people today can recall times when our bodies and minds have felt tired from manual labor and mental strain. If these conditions become constant or extreme, consciously or unconsciously, it is very easy for one to feel they have become burned out.

But the good news is that the scripture provides us with specific encouraging words for such things including just plain exhaustion.

In Isaiah 40:27-31 reveals for us three reassuring truths about God and His faithfulness in our times of exhaustion and feeling burned out.

In verse 28 we are told that the Lord “does not become weary or tired.” Therefore we can call upon Him who will never run out of power to share with us. His strength has never decreased and will not decrease in the future. In Hebrews 13:8 we are told that, “He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

In verse 29 we find that “He gives strength to the weary” and power to those who are not mighty. Our loving heavenly Father does not frown upon us when we feel we are weak. Instead, He embraces us and lifts us up when we feel are unable to help ourselves.

In verse 31 we are given an incredible promise. It reads, “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, and they will walk and not become weary.”

The next time you start to feel that a burnout is coming, read these verses. God has put us here on this earth for a reason as believers. Nowhere in scripture can we find that a burnout is acceptable because our God is bigger than any burnout that may come our way.

If we feel that a burnout needs to be dealt with we must first find the time to be still before the Lord and to rest in Him. In Mark 6:31, Jesus told His disciples, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” Resting in God for even a short time renews our souls and quiets our racing minds, enabling us to partake of His strength.

When you feel that you have too much on your plate to accomplish you should ask yourself, Are the activities in my life all necessary and chosen by the Lord? In Psalm 46:10 we are told to, “Cease striving and know that I am God.” There are times in our lives that God wants us to slow down and realize that our lives are in His hands. This is the way we can replace striving with resting and trusting.

Remember our God is faithful to provide for each of us a supply of endless divine strength to carry on what he has called us to do. All we need to do is to trust in God and call upon Him to fulfill His promise to renew His strength within us. God is never to weary or too busy to help us when we call upon Him.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in I Peter 5:7.

Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you.

PRAYER:

Help me to take time today for a quiet moment to sit before You and listen to what You have for me. Provide for me today the strength and rest I need. Give me exactly what I need for the moment at hand.