Introduction
Burnout happens when a person passionately pursues a dream over an extended period of time and then loses hope for achieving that dream. Perhaps he is told no too many times. Or, maybe, he is tired of trying things that just don’t work. Little by little, his cup of faith, hope, and love is drained. Eventually, he will not even remember why he ever began this pursuit and will feel foolish for wasting so much time and effort.
AVOID BURNOUT AS A CHRISTIAN BY KEEPING AN OVERFLOWING CUP
We were designed to operate from an overflowing cup of faith, hope, and love. Too often, however, we are trying to represent God from a half-empty cup. Serving others from a draining cup leads to burnout. If you want to avoid burnout as a Christian, make sure to only serve others from an overflowing cup. When you feel that your cup is beginning to drain, its time to focus on yourself. Many times, Jesus would withdraw from the crowds to pray. Sometimes taking a prayer walk is all you need. Other times, you may need a vacation or a conference to recharge your batteries. Build things into your regular routine that refill your cup. Also, make sure to plan a couple of getaways per year. Keeping an overflowing cup of faith, hope, and love will not only help you avoid burnout but will ensure that you fulfill the dreams that God has placed in your heart.
AVOID BURNOUT AS A CHRISTIAN BY KEEPING YOUR EYES ON JESUS
Our cups begin to drain when we take our eyes off of Jesus. Peter walked on water until he took his eyes off the Lord. The wind and the huge waves got his attention and in no time drained his cup of faith. When we focus on our problem instead of our solution, our cup begins to drain. Anytime we compare our challenges to our potential we can become overwhelmed. In these times, it’s good to remind yourself that you are operating on His power and not your own.
“Not by might nor by power but by my spirit says the Lord” Zechariah 4:6
AVOID BURNOUT AS A CHRISTIAN BY SHARING YOUR TESTIMONY
In Revelations 2, the church of Ephesus is charged with losing its first love. They began as a group of Christians excited about hope in Christ and were passionate about spreading the good news. Over time they grew into a large congregation and shifted their priorities. Jesus told them they were doing great in some areas but that they needed to remember the reason they began their journey.
When was the last time you shared your testimony? Are you still excited about Jesus saving your soul? Do you still get excited about the hope of salvation for others? One of the best ways to avoid burnout as a Christian is to stay excited about what the Lord has done for you.
Jesus said, “Shhhh!”
Did you ever notice how Jesus would tell people not to tell anyone about the miracle He did for them? Then, after agreeing to keep quiet, they would leave and immediately tell everyone they met. It may surprise you to know that they were not breaking their word to Jesus. He could not hold them responsible for something that was out of their control. By getting them to agree not to tell anyone, it ensured that they would only speak about what Jesus did for them when they absolutely could not hold it in any longer. This made the testimony come out with such passion that it was highly influential to all who heard it. It was literally an overflowing cup. If you share your testimony with that type of passion, people will want to know how they can get what you have. And because you are serving from your overflow, you totally avoid burnout.
Conclusion
We must avoid burnout as Christians at all costs! God designed us to pursue dreams. Having something in our hearts that we are striving for drives us to be our very best. The passion to reach our own promised land is what makes us great witnesses for the Lord. The best way to avoid burnout as a Christian is to realize that it is not an option. He is the source of our faith, hope, and love. Whenever you feel drained, return to the source.
By Mike Verdin
For more on this, read my book The Elder Son
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