Overcoming Burnout

Apr 22, 2025 | by Major Lynda Thornhill

Scripture: 1 Kings 19

Major Lynda Thornhill

Territorial Mission, Evangelism & Cultural Ministries Secretary

USA Southern Territory

• This is impossible.
• No one understands.
• I do not care anymore.
• I am exhausted.
• I cannot turn off.
• I have had enough.

            These phrases might seem fairly normal. In fact, you might have said them once in your life. Stressful situations are inevitable. Work causes stress, your spouse causes stress, children cause stress, friendships cause stress. But when you find yourself in an ongoing state of feeling overwhelmed, tired, and emotionally drained, you could be headed for burnout.

Burnout Defined

            Burnout is defined as a state of physical or emotional exhaustion from ongoing stress. We live in a culture of productivity. Today, value is found primarily in what we produce. The perfect home, with nothing out of place. The perfect children, the perfect job, the perfect spouse. I’m exhausted just listing all the perfects.  So, it is not surprising that at least 75% of Americans experience burnout, according to the American Psychological Association.

            Society has the answer to all your burnout woes. When conducting a Google search on self-care for burnout you will find phrases like “Take a deep breath and do your own thing,” “Trust what you feel, not what you hear.”  You will also find practical suggestions like, massages, pedicures, vacations, sleeping pills, custom mattresses, the list goes on and on.

Elijah

            I would like to suggest that we look to the Bible. In 1 Kings 19 we find the story of Elijah. Prior to this passage we find a strong and in control Elijah experiencing immense success. He had just proven the strength of the ONE true God by defeating 850 false prophets. From this, there was a spiritual renewal in Israel. “When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, ‘The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!’” (1 Kings 18:39).

            You would think after such an incredible experience, that Elijah’s faith would be renewed, and he would be ready for the next challenge. But here is the thing about challenges, when you are giving more than you have to give you will find yourself at the end of your rope.  Although it is not mentioned as this in the Bible, Elijah is experiencing depression. He is spiritually and emotionally overwhelmed.

            Elijah’s response to challenge may be quite like how we face our own challenges. Jezebel wanted to kill him for defeating her 850 prophets and unlike the strong man we just saw, Elijah.

1. Was afraid.
2. Ran from his calling.
3. Abandoned his people and isolated himself.
4. Wanted to die.

            These are classic signs of depression and burnout. Many times after we’ve experienced extreme highs, we will find ourselves faced with attacks from the enemy.  We know how to defeat Satan’s attacks on our life, but we do not always know how to overcome our own internal attacks. This is where we find Elijah, bringing about spiritual renewal and then wallowing in self-pity. But Elijah’s story does not end there. God stepped in and provided for Elijah’s needs, both physically and spiritually.

Our Humanity

            Burnout can hit hard, without any warning. One minute everything is fine and the next you are not sure up from down. In James 5:17 we find what I think is an especially important truth about Elijah. “Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again, he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops”. (James 5:17–18). Elijah was human. That might seem like a given, but I think we tend to forget that about ourselves.  God used Elijah in a mighty and powerful way. And the same can be said for us. God uses us for His glory, but we are human vessels with limits in our abilities. All that we do is a result of God’s grace. When we begin to think we can do things in our own strength, we will experience the human challenges of self-pity, depression, and burnout.

            Relying on God’s strength in our earthly bodies, we can learn a few things from Elijah’s experience in overcoming burnout.

1. It is okay to complain to God. He wants to hear everything about us, the good and the bad. And it will not always be said in the most positive of ways. What’s important is that we are keeping the lines of communication open with God in all our experiences.
2. God is always present. We may not see Him or experience Him when or the way we think we should. His presence may be in the wind, an earthquake, a fire, a dream, or a still small voice. When we see and experience God as He truly is the healthier we will become.
3. Take care of yourself. While exercise, drinking water and taking a vacation are not specifically mentioned in Elijah’s story, it does say that he ran 6 miles back to the city and beat Ahab who was in a chariot. If your body is not in good physical shape, you are not going to be able to complete the tasks God has called you to.  Make time to rest, eat a healthy diet, and take vacation. Nothing is so important that it cannot wait for your return.
4. It is okay to say no. When we take on too much, with more than we have to give, we are taking on burdens that God has not called us to.  God does not need me or you to do everything. Know your limits and allow God to work through you in what He has called you to, and you will quickly find the joy of ministry rather than the defeat of burnout.

            We were not made to go nonstop. God carries our burdens and fights our battles.  He is there to take what overwhelms us and exchange it for His peace and hope. Wont you let Him do this for you today?

            He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (Isaiah 40:29).

Our Corporate Prayer

Dear Lord, we admit that we sometimes take upon ourselves way more than we are supposed to. While we are grateful for how You teach and strengthen us, sometimes we try to rely way too much on that instead of knowing when to turn it over to You. We worry and fret, compare ourselves and compete, run when we should walk, grab when we should trust. Sometimes we make a real mess of things and then we feel overwhelmed, We feel burned out. Help us to learn the lesson You taught Elijah. Whisper Your quiet voice to us. Restore our weary souls as we rest in Your strong arms. Thank You, Gentle Shepherd. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Our Worldwide Prayer Meeting
India Central Territory

Thinking It Through

Have you ever found yourself trying to let go of something, trust the Lord with it but just not being able to let go? Why do we do that? Have those times led to peace in your heart? Or have they led to you feeling burned out? How can we learn to trust the Lord, to let Him care for us and to take care of ourselves?

Notable Quotables

He who cannot rest, cannot work; he who cannot let go, cannot hold on; he who cannot find footing, cannot go forward. - Henry Emerson Fosdick

We would appreciate any feedback and/or suggestions on how to improve these devotionals. Please email comments to: [email protected] or by going to our website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/uss/spiritual-life-development.
We would love to hear from you.

Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Territorial Spiritual Life Development Officer/THQ Chaplain
USA Southern Territory