A Prayer to Trust God During Burnout

Burnout can show up in many ways. The Bible doesn’t diminish this form of pain and suffering. Instead, it recognizes the complexity of it and how it comes upon us. Scripture tells us, “ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). In these verses, Paul is referring to multiple types of suffering – mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. What makes this experience complex is the fact that when burnout shows up, several of these types of suffering are often involved which can take a major toll on our spirit. It’s important that we recognize that burnout is a battleground. Yet, we can fight back with the help of God.

It is likely that you will experience burnout in a way that cannot be adequately understood through a single approach. When the complexity of suffering rears us its head, we will find ourselves ill-equipped to deal with the ramifications. However, when we engage with Scripture and understand what the Bible has to tell us about what we’re going through, it can broaden our perspective and enable us to make sense of our circumstances in a new way.

This may seem counter-intuitive, but the truth about pain, including burnout is that it prepares Christians for more glory. Paul writes, “This light of momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look to the things that are not seen but the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

One of the first things we think of when it comes to any type of pain is that we must avoid it at all costs, but God brings pain in our lives for the sake of our eternal joy and glory, even if we can’t understand why at this time. Suffering prepares us in a way that a life without suffering never could: 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, the pain I’m experiencing isn’t easy. The burnout I’m experiencing is draining.

Help me to see that You can use my pain for good and that I can come out of my current state a transformed person as long as I trust in You. Amen.