Burnout is the state in which someone is exhausted emotionally, psychologically and physically due to persistent stress and pressure.1 Burnout can be seen in many aspects of our lives, such as school, work and relationships.1 It can be hard to escape or run away from burnout, especially if we don’t see it coming. It is easy to get trapped in this thought that we are alone, facing all of these struggles on our own. We think and believe that we can handle everything on our own as we continue to push ourselves past our limits. This trap of self-reliance makes us forget that God is here to help us.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. — Isaiah 40:29-31, NIV
Overworking and pushing ourselves to the limit will not help us achieve anything — not when it hurts and damages our health. We need to understand that our dependence on God will help us pursue God’s plan. In the passage from Isaiah, he reminds us that even the strongest people grow tired. We can trust and hope in God to renew our strength.
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. — Genesis 2:2-3, NIV
God had to rest when he was creating the world as it says in Genesis. God wants us to rest, not just because it is a physical necessity — but because it is also a spiritual discipline. We can seek refuge in the Lord and rest in his peace. True spiritual rest will help us overcome burnout.
