Burnout

I really liked this today and thought it was applicable so I thought others might like it too.

Handling Burnout
The best time to deal with burnout is before you burnout.

In 2 Corinthians 4:1-18 Paul shares seven principles that will help you run the distance and last in ministry –

1. Remember God's mercy (v. 1): God has given us our ministries. We don’t have to prove our worth through our ministry, and we don’t have to wallow in our mistakes. You don’t have to earn your place as a pastor or leader in the church.

2. Be truthful and honest in all you do (v. 2): Maintain your integrity because integrity produces power in your life, while guilt zaps your energy. You need to finish with your character intact. Your integrity includes how you handle the Word of God. Don’t distort it or make it confusing.

3. Be motivated to work for Jesus’ sake, not out of selfish desires (v. 5): We need a right motivation. We should start as servants and end as servants, not celebrities. You need to learn to live your life for an audience of one, and that one is Jesus Christ.

4. Realize that Christians are only human (v. 7): We must accept our limitations. The quickest way to burn out is to try to be Superman. Humility is being honest about your weaknesses.

5. Develop a true love for others (v. 15): Churches thrive, grow, and survive when love endures. You must love your people or you won’t last in the ministry

6. Allow time for inward rejuvenation (v. 16): I have a motto -- Divert daily, withdraw weekly and abandon annually. You need to take time off to re-charge.

7. Stay focused on the important things, not distracted by momentary troubles (v. 17-18): Keep your eyes on the goal, not the problem. Only God who sees the invisible can accomplish the impossible. To be a winner in the marathon of ministerial service, we need trust God even when things don’t make sense. If we run from problems, we’ll never mature into who God wants us to be.


Be good and do good,

Sarah B

Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity. ~Bo Bennett