What is spiritual burnout?

When you're under pressure to invest energy beyond your resources, and that toll continues over time you are at high risk of burnout. But there is one other kind of burnout we'd like to address: spiritual burnout. This is when you take on too much spiritual work without allowing your spirit to rest, process and grow.


What are the signs of spiritual burnout?

Some symptoms to watch for when dealing with spiritual burnout include:
  • Feeling tired most of the time.
  • Lower immunity or frequent illness.
  • Changes in sleep habits or appetite.
  • Using food, alcohol, or drugs to cope.
  • Headaches or muscle pain.
  • Taking frustrations out on others.
  • Feeling helpless, defeated, and trapped.


How do I stop spiritual burnout?

5 Tips to Overcoming Spiritual Burnout
  1. Be honest with God. A few years ago, I told my spiritual director about my struggle in prayer. ...
  2. Be honest with yourself. ...
  3. Connect with your family and friends. ...
  4. Broaden your spiritual horizons. ...
  5. Learn how to rest.


What is burnout in Christianity?

For Christians, a better way to conceptualize burnout and compassion fatigue is to consider them within the categories of calling, apathy, and indifference. In this way, preventing and coping with burnout becomes a project of spiritual revitalization—reconnecting with the empowering, living spirit of God.

What causes burnout in ministry?

Overwhelming ministry stress is at the heart of burnout among the clergy. The daily pressures of carrying vast amounts of responsibility, often with inadequate resources, can leave pastors feeling exhausted. This can be true at all levels whether the person is a senior pastor or in youth ministry.


Spiritual Burnout! (Why it Happens & How to Avoid it)



Who experienced burnout in the Bible?

If you don't believe me, look at Elijah. In I Kings 18, he was on fire for the Lord and he won a great victory for God's cause in the world. One chapter later, I Kings 19, he was huddled up under a broom tree feeling sorry for himself, exhausted, and burned out.

What is the root of burnout?

Job burnout risk factors

The following factors may contribute to job burnout: You have a heavy workload and work long hours. You struggle with work-life balance. You work in a helping profession, such as health care. You feel you have little or no control over your work.

How to overcome burnout Bible?

15 Verses to Help You Deal with Burnout
  1. Matthew 11:28. 'Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”' ...
  2. Psalm 61:2. ...
  3. Romans 12:11-13 (MSG) ...
  4. Jeremiah 31:25. ...
  5. Psalm 68:35. ...
  6. Galatians 6:9. ...
  7. Psalm 55:22. ...
  8. John 14:1.


What does God say about being overwhelmed?

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (NIV) – Philippians 4:6-7.

How do you recover from a ministry burnout?

Four Steps to Reversing Ministry Burnout
  1. Step #1: Rest your body. Relax. ...
  2. Step #2: Release your frustrations. Pray about it. ...
  3. Step #3: Refocus on God. Take your eyes off the problem and get a fresh awareness of what God wants to do in your life. ...
  4. Step #4: Recommit your life to God. Recommit your life to God's purpose.


When your spirit is tired?

Soul exhaustion will drain your spirit in a way you never knew possible. Soul exhaustion can feel as if you're treading water for hours while barely keeping your head above water. The reason for this is that our soul needs time to repair in the same way overworked muscles or broken bones take time to heal.


What is the fastest way to cure burnout?

14 tips on how to recover from burnout
  1. Track your stress levels. ...
  2. Identify your stressors. ...
  3. Create a habit of journaling. ...
  4. Seek professional help from a coach or therapist. ...
  5. Build a support network. ...
  6. Get enough exercise. ...
  7. Speak up for yourself. ...
  8. Learn stress management techniques.


How do I heal my spiritual trauma?

Inwardly-directed spiritual practices such as mindfulness, meditation, and prayer may help reduce hyperarousal. Foreshortened Future and Loss of Interest in Activities. Rediscovery of meaning and purpose in one's life may potentially have enormous impact on these symptoms.

How do you know if your soul is exhausted?

Soul exhaustion can feel as if you're running a marathon without an end. It can seem as if you're treading water for hours in the middle of the ocean — soul exhaustion can feel like you have no more tears left to cry, that your tear ducts are permanently empty, as is your spirit.


What are the 12 stages of burnout?

The 12 Stages of Burnout
  • Excessive Ambition.
  • Pushing Yourself to Work Harder.
  • Neglecting Personal Care and Needs.
  • Displacement of Conflict.
  • Changes in Values to Validate Self Worth.
  • Denial of Problems and Shame.
  • Social Withdrawal.
  • Obvious Behavior Changes.


How long does burnout last for?

How Long Does Burnout Last? It takes an average time of three months to a year to recover from burnout. How long your burnout lasts will depend on your level of emotional exhaustion and physical fatigue, as well as if you experience any relapses or periods of stagnant recovery.

What does God say about overthinking?

“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth” (NLT). Worry and anxiety are not heavenly things. When you're tempted to fall into the cycle of overthinking, direct your thoughts to God's ways instead.


When my spirit is overwhelmed?

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk They have secretly set a snare for me. Look on my right hand and see, For there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul.

What does God say about trauma?

“He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that walk in the darkness, nor the destruction that lays waste at noonday.”—Psalm 91:4-6.

What does God say when you are tired?

Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”


Can burnout be reversed?

The good news is you can take steps to reverse job burnout. You also can avoid it altogether if you pay attention to the signs.

What does the Bible say when you feel like you're quitting?

Galatians 6:9 – Do Not Grow Weary In Doing Good

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. This is the first verse I turn to when I feel like giving up.

What burnout does to your body?

Physical signs and symptoms of burnout

Feeling tired and drained most of the time. Lowered immunity, frequent illnesses. Frequent headaches or muscle pain. Change in appetite or sleep habits.


What happens to the brain when you burnout?

Your brain on burnout

Chronic stress has long been known to contribute to mental and physical diseases, and now researchers are able to capture what happens to the brain. “One of the most striking (effects) is thinning of the gray matter of an area of the brain called the prefrontal cortex,” Arnsten said.

Is burnout a mental illness who?

“Burnout” is now classified as a mental illness caused by unmanaged stress at work. Many lifestyle factors can be adjusted to help reduce the effects of Burnout such as changing diet, effective supplementation and self-care protocols.