From Burnouts to Burned Out

When Ministry Leaves You Weary—and God Leads You Back

A Different Kind of Burnout

When my husband and I were teenagers, we loved to take his car out and do what we called “burnouts.”

Ken was especially good at them—he had lots of practice. He drove an AMC Javelin with a hot engine, big tires, and a three-speed on the floor. He knew the exact moment to hit the gas pedal—throwing me back into my seat while the car spun into a donut that felt like it would never end.

It was an adrenaline rush, for sure.

But that was over fifty years ago.

Today, burnout has taken on a very different meaning.

When Ministry Exhaustion Sets In

Now I recognize burnout in ministry as something much deeper—mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion brought on by years of stress and the weight of serving others.

And it was me—not Ken—who experienced it.

Why do I tell you this?

Because we want to be honest. Burnout is real…even in the Kingdom of God.

The Signs I Didn’t Recognize

At the time, I didn’t even realize what I was going through had a name.

All I knew was this:

• I felt guilty…though I couldn’t say exactly why.

• I was tired—deep down weary.

• I felt like I was going in circles, accomplishing nothing.

• I began to believe that nothing I had done—or would ever do—really mattered.

I became easily irritated.

And in my mind, a servant of Christ should not be irritated over small things.

So I didn’t give myself grace…And if I’m honest, I stopped giving grace to others too.

When Someone Sees What You Cannot

It took a dear pastor friend to gently point it out to me.

He helped me see what I could not see in myself—that what I was experiencing was burnout.

And I had to be willing to listen.

Am I the only one who has walked this road?

I don’t believe I am.

Seeing Myself in Paul

Not long after, I heard a sermon from Galatians chapter 4.

As I followed along in my Bible, these words stopped me:

“My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you… I am perplexed about you.” (Galatians 4:19–20)

And suddenly—I saw myself.

Paul was perplexed.Paul was burdened.Paul was in anguish for those he loved.

He described his concern as the pain of childbirth.

I understood that kind of longing.

I had felt that same ache—to see people truly know Christ, not just attend on Sundays or pray only when they needed something.

But here is where our paths differed:

Paul continued forward in his calling.

I…allowed my anguish to turn into burnout.

How God Led Me Back

So how did I come through it?

Not all at once—but step by step.

First, I had to recognize the signs of burnout.

It took someone else pointing it out—and me being willing to receive it.

As someone used to leading, this was humbling.

I felt like I had nothing left to give.

Second, I stepped away from leadership for a season.

I stopped teaching.I stopped serving.

And I let others carry what I had been holding.

That was not easy—but it was necessary.

3. I Sat Quietly with the Lord

During that time, I would sit quietly with my Bible open in my lap.

I didn’t always know what to study.Sometimes I only read a little.

But I spent more time simply resting in God’s presence.

Somewhere along the way, I had begun to believe everything depended on me.

And in doing so, I had neglected the very One who was leading me.

4. I Learned to Receive Grace

And finally—I gave myself grace.

The same grace I so freely gave to others, I allowed myself to receive.

Each morning, I reminded the Lord:

“Your mercies are new today.This is the grace I will walk in.”

The Lesson That Remains

This happened a few years ago, but the lesson has stayed with me.

I am only one person.

God created me for the purpose He has called me to.I don’t have to add to it.

And when I walk in that calling, I do the best I can…and leave the results with Him.

A Promise to Hold Onto

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;His mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning;great is Your faithfulness.”—Lamentations 3:22–23

Prayer

Dear God,

Thank You that Your mercies never end and Your grace never runs dry. Help me to remember that it is Your faithfulness—not my strength—that sustains me. Teach me to rest in what You have already provided. Amen.