Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It often leads to diminished interest, cynicism, and feelings of ineffectiveness related to one’s work or career. Though not a medical diagnosis, burnout can have serious consequences for a person’s health, relationships, and overall well-being if not addressed.
The Bible does not directly address burnout per se, as the modern concept of a career and the stresses of the workplace are somewhat foreign to the ancient cultures depicted in Scripture. However, the Bible has much to say about issues related to burnout, including rest, renewal, caring for one’s body and soul, setting healthy boundaries, finding meaning and purpose, dealing with anxiety and weariness, and trusting in God’s strength when our own runs out.
Here are some key biblical themes and passages that speak to the experience of burnout:
The importance of rest
Burnout often stems from a lack of proper rest and renewal. God instituted a rhythm of work and rest in creation by resting on the seventh day after laboring for six (Genesis 2:2). This establishes the pattern of Sabbath, a sacred day set apart for rest, worship, and refocusing on God. The commandment to observe and keep the Sabbath holy is repeated throughout Scripture (Exodus 20:8-11). Jesus highlighted how the Sabbath was made for man’s well-being, not the other way around (Mark 2:27). Practicing Sabbath allows for replenishment and restores proper order to life.
In the Psalms, rest is associated with trusting in God’s provision and care rather than endless striving (Psalm 37:7). Jesus invites all who are weary and burdened to come to him for rest (Matthew 11:28-30). This promise of spiritual rest for the soul is just as important as physical rest for the body. Taking a Sabbath each week can be a powerful antidote to burnout.
The hazards of overwork
While hard work and diligence are praised in Scripture, overwork and excessive labor without rest are treated as oppressive and dangerous. Ecclesiastes laments how overwork robs people of the ability to enjoy life’s simple pleasures (Ecclesiastes 4:6-8). Paul expresses concern that people who overwork will give in to the temptation to overdrink in response (1 Thessalonians 5:7). He urges people to work quietly and earn their own living so as not to be dependent on others (2 Thessalonians 3:6-12). Overwork breeds stress, anxiety, poor health, and relational strains.
The Preacher in Ecclesiastes concludes that finding a balanced rhythm of work and rest is one of the secrets to a fulfilling life: “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?” (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25). Overwork violates this divine balance.
Setting healthy boundaries
A key way to combat burnout is establishing healthy boundaries in one’s work and activities. While Scripture exalts serving others and working hard, boundaries are also modeled and encouraged.
After an intense time of ministry, Jesus often withdrew to desolate places to pray, demonstrating the importance of getting away for renewal (Luke 5:16). He also protected his time of rest, instructing his disciples to come away by themselves when people were clamoring for more ministry (Mark 6:31). Paul asserted his right not be a burden to others, working hard so as not to be dependent on them (1 Thessalonians 2:9). Wisdom literature warns against striving to keep up with the demands of others at the expense of yourself (Proverbs 25:27).
To avoid burnout, it is important to discern major obligations from peripheral ones and devote time to replenishing activities. Saying no to extra responsibilities and lesser commitments can keep your load manageable. Striving for perfection often makes burnout worse. Doing something less than excellently is preferable to not doing it at all because of being overwhelmed.
Caring for body and soul
Scripture treats human beings as integrated wholes—body, mind, and spirit. What affects one aspect affects the others. Therefore, caring properly for the whole person is imperative.
Paul urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1). He appeals to them to honor God with their bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The body’s health impacts one’s spiritual life. Neglecting rest, nutrition, exercise, and care for the physical body can result in burnout.
However, correcting physical issues alone is not sufficient to remedy burnout. The soul also needs nourishment and care. David’s antidote to weariness of soul is waiting on God and hoping in his word (Psalm 119:81). Coming to Jesus provides rest for the soul as well as the body (Matthew 11:28-30). Paul prays that the Thessalonians may be sanctified entirely, with their whole spirit, soul, and body kept blameless (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Caring for both physical and spiritual needs is essential.
Finding meaning and purpose
A lack of meaning and purpose often lurks behind burnout. Hard work motivated merely by recognition or material gain still leaves the soul empty. Finding significance in one’s work makes even menial labor worthy. The Preacher of Ecclesiastes concludes that a life well lived means finding satisfaction in your work and lot (Ecclesiastes 3:22; 5:18-19). Paul encourages slaves to serve wholeheartedly as if working for the Lord himself, not merely men (Ephesians 6:7).
God promises that our labor in him is never in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). Even when human efforts seem futile, God assures that our work done in faith has ultimate purpose and meaning. Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a man scattering seed that grows secretly, yielding fruit apart from human effort and understanding (Mark 4:26-29). Walking by faith and not sight enables persevering when results are not immediate (2 Corinthians 5:7). Filling work with spiritual significance wards off meaninglessness that fuels burnout.
Dealing with anxiety and weariness
Burnout often involves heavy doses of anxiety and emotional exhaustion. Scripture repeatedly counsels resting in God’s presence and character when facing worry and weariness.
Psalms extol God’s sovereignty, goodness, provision, and care for his people as antidotes to anxiety (Psalm 23; 27:1; 34:4-10; 37:3-7). Paul urges believers not to be anxious but instead rely on God’s peace and presence (Philippians 4:6-7). Peter exhorts casting all cares on God because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Jesus reminds his followers of God’s tender care for even the smallest part of his creation to reassure them of his concern for them (Luke 12:22-31). Meditating on God’s faithfulness combats anxious thoughts that contribute to burnout.
The invitation offered to the weary and burdened is key: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Christ’s promise of spiritual rest remains open to the exhausted today.
Relying on God’s strength
Burnout often stems from the vain attempt to serve God in one’s own inadequate strength and power. Scripture makes clear that humans are finite and dependent creatures, prone to limitations in knowledge, abilities, and strength. Pride drives people to strive in their own power rather than rely on the infinite strength of God.
Moses succumbed to burnout when he tried to judge Israel’s disputes alone rather than allowing others to help shoulder the load (Exodus 18:13-18). Even with assistance, he still became exhausted, leading him to disobediently strike the rock rather than speak to it as God commanded (Numbers 20:2-13). Elijah sank into despair and burnout after his great victory over the prophets of Baal because he feared Jezebel’s threats and fled in his own inadequate strength rather than God’s (1 Kings 19:1-18).
In contrast, Paul learned to rely on God’s strength and power working through his weaknesses and limitations (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). The Lord told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Relying on divine strength rather than human effort is key to avoiding burnout.
Walking by the Spirit
Burnoutoften stems from trying to fulfill God’s law in one’s own power, a burden no person can bear. The way out of this futile striving is to walk by the power of the Spirit.
Paul contrasts the death-dealing letter of the law with the life-giving Spirit, warning believers not to resolve to serve God through rigorous rule-keeping (Romans 7:6; 2 Corinthians 3:7-9). Efforts in human strength to fulfill God’s commands always fail. Only by clinging to Christ’s finished work and walking in the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit can believers produce godly character and service that pleases God (Galatians 5:16-26). This daily reliance and surrender to the Spirit defeats burnout.
Times of special ministry may require intense labor, but still in the strength God supplies: “We toil, doing our utmost, because we have put our hope in the living God” (1 Timothy 4:10). With Christ as our source, burnout turns to perseverance by God’s power.
Abiding in Christ
Burnout ultimately stems from losing touch with the empowering presence of Christ through neglecting spiritual health. As demands and pressures crowd out time for communion with God, reliance on Christ’s strength diminishes. Overwork ultimately fuels overreliance on self.
Jesus compared his intimate relationship with his followers to a vine and branches, warning that apart from abiding in him, they could do nothing (John 15:1-8). All fruitful ministry must flow out of an vital connection to Christ. Paul emphasizes this again and again: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20); the life “I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God” (Galatians 2:20); “Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).
Intimacy with Christ and reliance on his presence within true believers is essential for avoiding burnout. Multiplied activity no matter how initially fruitful still leads to barrenness if not flowing from abiding in the True Vine.
Finding Sabbath rest in Christ
For the exhausted and overwhelmed follower of Christ today, Jesus’ invitation remains open: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). This offer of spiritual rest in him is the ultimate antidote to burnout.
The weekly Sabbath principle extends into every moment of every day for the believer through reliance on Christ’s work, not our own effort and striving. “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God… Let us therefore strive to enter that rest” (Hebrews 4:9,11). Ceasing from self-reliance is key to entering God’s rest in any and every moment.
Paul describes this reoriented life: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). When Christ lives through us by his Spirit, burnout is replaced with vibrancy, purpose, and renewal.
The abundant life Jesus promised comes as he lifts burdens that crush our souls and refreshes us to walk freely and lightly in his ways (Matthew 11:28-30; John 10:10). May our labors and striving come from resting in and relying on him.