Burnout: How Do You Smell The Smoke?

I long ago concluded that our church members (not to mention those of us who lead local assemblies) were on the very edge of physical, mental, or emotional exhaustion on any given day. That is why they frequently miss Sunday evening services or show up for only one night when you have extended meetings. It is also why they wear out and take time off from ministry positions in which they have been doing a tremendous job.

So if we are to help the stressed out persons under our care, or even understand when we need help personally, how do we smell the smoke that signals a kindling flame? One signal is that feeling of approaching disaster. Note the words of Psalm 3:1: Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. This Psalm is generally titled a morning psalm and indicates the thoughts that rush to the forefront of David’s mind upon his awakening. Don Wyrtzen catches the idea in the following quote:

Living in the complexity of the modern world puts me under a lot of stress. My mind continually mulls over unresolved personal conflicts, domestic hassles, competitiveness at work, and the pressure to perform. All of this rises to the surface very early in the morning. At my first moments of consciousness, I often feel despair. For me, many days are blue Mondays.

Don Wyrtzen, A Musician Looks At The Psalms, (Zondervan, 1988) p. 23.

As the smoke signals build in frequency and intensity, we begin to feel like David in the 6^th Psalm: Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak…my soul also is greatly troubled; but your, O Lord – how long? (Psalm 6:2-3). In short, our imaginations begin to run wild. There is a preoccupation with troubling issues and you don’t seem to find any peace, quietness, or rest.

Sleep will not come. I am weary with my groaning; all night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears (Psalm 6:6). There comes less sleep in your life and the burnout becomes worse. One fuels the other. As the lack of rest for your mind and body build, you begin to act like a 10 horsepower motor attempting to run a machine requiring 75 horsepower.

Now the smoke signals begin to billow. A person starts to feel like he/she is a victim of everyone else's whims. Everyone wants a bite of you, your thoughts, or your time. In this situation, some people almost work themselves to death – Philippians 2:25-30. Epaphroditus almost died of overwork. Modern day servants of Christ can do same. They begin to lean on coffee in the morning and Tylenol PM at night.

Given this sort of situation, most of us try to protect what's left of our mental fabric. We watch TV just to relax, but constantly flip through the channels, and often do not see what's on anyway. We are not really into the TV movie, just trying to catch their emotional breath. Or we get angry and snap at others if interrupted (particularly those closest to us). Our attitude becomes one of leave me alone! I just want a moment of relief. But even in a moment of quiet isolation, there is no joy, we are lonely and feel overwhelmed.

When you see those smoke signals in the life of a person under your watch care (or more likely in your own life), reflect on the words of Isaiah: Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10). You cannot ask for any more than that. There is hope in the Lord.

Howard L. Wilburn