On our journey to “A Rich and Satisfying Life,” we must protect against burnout. It’s a real thing.
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands as defined by HelpGuide.org
Elijah – A Biblical Example
I believe the prophet Elijah experienced burnout. In the book of 1 Kings 17, he was directed to pray there would be no rain. This meant famine in the land, and led to all kinds of adventures such as being sustained by the Widow of Zarephath with the never-ending barrel of flour and cruse of oil. His prayers kept the rain at bay for three years ending with an epic confrontation of good and evil found in 1 Kings 18. Good won, and Elijah personally slayed 450 prophets of Baal. (I would have loved to see the fire fall in person, wouldn’t you?) Elijah sought God for rain, and then running on foot, beat a chariot driving to another town before the showers came.
Whew! That was a day to end all days, and Elijah must have been bone-weary. Then word came from Jezebel, Queen of the land, that she was going to revenge the prophets of Baal by making sure Elijah died. He panicked and ran for his life.
When You Just Can’t Take Another Step
And here is why I think Elijah reached the point of burnout:
Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”
1 Kings 19:4-5a NLT
Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree.
Sometimes when things look bleak, we can’t imagine going on. We want the journey to end. But Elijah just really needed rest. He needed sleep and food.
But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.
1 Kings 19:5b-9 NLT
Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”
So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. There he came to a cave, where he spent the night.
Wouldn’t you like to travel on that angel’s food? Where was Elijah going? He made the long journey to Mount Sinai because he just had to hear. The. Voice. Of. God.
It’s Not All Up to You
Read all of chapter 19 and you will realize Elijah did hear from God and was assured he was not alone. There was a remnant still serving God and there was an assistant who would one day replace Elijah.
The kingdom didn’t rest on Elijah, and it doesn’t rest on us, either. Anytime we think our place of ministry, be it church-related or secular, must have us to function, we are wrong. God always has a plan. Nothing takes Him by surprise.
Give yourself a break. Rest in the knowledge He will guide you into His will for your life. If He leads you to step down from something, rest in the fact He will have an Elisha prepared for you. If He leads you to continue, He will strengthen you for the journey and give wisdom where needed.
Trust in an On-Time God
He will know the perfect time to show up and show out. You don’t have to worry. Remember the prayer He taught us. “Give us THIS DAY our daily bread.” He will provide what is needed for today, then tomorrow, He will do it again for His trusting ones.
Time to Just Be
As you may know, I’ve been on a journey to purge clutter, both physical and mental, from my life. And Elijah’s story makes me realize sometime I just need to sit down under a broom tree and rest.
What if we made a point to schedule a pocket of time to just do nothing but rest each day? What if we did that at least once a week – wait, we do have that on our calendars! It’s called Sunday.
My prayer is we all find time to just be. I think it would make for a satisfying existence.
Hey! I’m on a journey. I don’t pretend I’m doing all this perfectly. I’m sharing the goals and dreams I have in my heart in this series, “A Rich and Satisfying Life.” This is my twenty-seventh post of examining a life free from the clutter of both wrong thoughts, attitudes, expectations, and too-full calendars, as well as physical clutter. You can click here to see all the links to the series.
This series is part of a Write28Days challenge sponsored by Anita Ojeda. The challenge is now over, but I am still working at the goal of writing 28 times on my subject.
All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.
Today, I’m sharing my work at Grace and Truth, Inspire Me Monday, InstaEncouragements Link-up, Tell His Story, Let’s Have Coffee, Recharge Wednesday
Even as a retiree I sometimes find it difficult to set aside the to-do list and just REST, just BE. Since God ordained rest, he’ll make sure the crucial tasks are accomplished. Thank you for these important reminders, Jerralea!
Thanks for dropping in, Nancy. All my retired friends tell me they are just as busy, or even MORE busy, since retiring! Rest is a message we all need!
This post goes right along with the things God is teaching me. And “trust in an on-time God” struck me particularly. Thank you.
Yes! I am doing better about the Sabbath, but the daily resting is hard for me.
Thanks for dropping in, Lauren!
Striving is something I step into so easily and then it is my strength rather than God’s and the result is burnout.
Amen! Doing things in our own strength never seems to work out well. Thanks for commenting, Susan.
So good, Jerralea, sometimes we keep pushing ahead, when what we really need is a time to rest WITH God! Thank you for this reminder!
Yse! Donna, you are so correct in pointing out resting WITH God is key. Just napping on the sofa zoning out on Netflix is not the best way to rest.
Yes, it’s so important to find time to rest and “just be.” Great advice, Jerralea! We all need to hear this and do it more often.
Inspiration comes when you are just taking time to be. Good to see you, Lisa!
True story, just today.
Today my heart refused to beat,
and I’d soon cease to be,
upon this Earth, my Lord to meet,
but Cocoa fought for me.
I traveled to some other place,
not far but not too near,
and then I guess by holy grace
’twas privileged to hear
Chihuahua with a human voice,
asking that I not be taken;
he said to God, “It is Your choice,
but let this man awaken
and let not let this day be end
for this human is my friend.”
Wow, Andrew! What a thought – that our animal friends could intercede for us! That blows my mind.
I’m so glad you are still here and sharing with us. Prayers for you and Barb!
I have always loved this story. Elijah was done in his own strength. He needed food and rest and the Lord provided both for him. May we hear and obey when God calls us to rest.
I love Elijah’s story, too. Talk about laying it all on the line! Like I said, I would have loved to see the fire fall.
Thanks for visiting, Joanne!
Jerralea, this post is timely for me. We’ve been in a crazy, stressful season in our family’s life, and I’m just weary. Finding time to rest is important. I so appreciate your thoughts on Elijah. They spoke to my heart.
Jeanne, I kind of think we are all tired. The day we live in just wears. One. Out! I was excited when the Lord reminded me of Elijah because he probably felt the same about the world he lived in.
Your title caught my eye – not so much ministry or the everyday – but a journey we as a family are about to face and I’m already weary and feeling I can’t go on. Great illustration of Elijah. Blessings and thanks for words of truth and life.
Paris, praying you feel the Presence of the One who is always with you as you and your family face your struggle.
So glad you dropped in!
The mercy of God is so evident in his call to rest and in his command to Sabbath!
Yes! What a gift to have a day off every week. If we only could just see it that way!
Jerri, this is a great message. Wonderful points to pause and reflect upon.
Let’s Have Coffee #7
Paula, thank you for your always-encouraging words!
Great reminder about rest and personally, I believe that angel of the Lord was likely Jesus, Himself. God reveals Him throughout the Word.
I noticed something new in Elijah’s story from your post, Jerralea. Elijah obeyed God, and He sent Him on another journey that also led to a time of rest. God knows. His ways with us leads] to activity and to rest. There is so much comfort in knowing that. The eb and flow of rest is part of His plan.
I was looking for your post on Roots (this week’s FMF prompt), but didn’t see the actual post. Just the banner picture and then a link to this post. Since it’s how I have been feeling these days, I clicked on it. Looks like it was God’s timing. Encouraging words I needed to read.