Our LifeWay President Dr. Thom Rainer recently posted “Twelve Ways Pastors Went form Burnout to Vision.” This post is focused on pastors, but I’d say they connect with any one of us.
I have often found myself close to burnout as I’ve served my family, my church, my community. Take a look at this list Dr. Rainer shared and ask yourself the questions I asked myself. Consider where you might need to make some changes so that you can face each day in God’s power rather than defeat due to burnout
- Spent more time in prayer and the Word-Do I daily spend time in the Word to HEAR from God and in prayer to talk to and listen to Him? Have I place anything in a higher priority than this?
- Dreamed again-Have I lost my “dream” for life, for family, for work, for serving, for ministry? Do I need to ask God to re-ignite His dream in me?
- Stopped comparing-Who do I compare myself, or my ministry to? Women are notorious for comparing themselves to other women as moms, wives, employees, students and as leaders.
- Developed relationships with non-Christians-Am I developing relationships outside my Christian circle or do I stay comfortable within this place of comfort? Where do I go that I am in contact with lost people?
- Moved my focus from the negative to the positive-Do I face each situation from a negative or positive stance? Do I need to begin seeing the possibilities rather than the impossibilities in a situation?
- Learned to have fun-Sometimes I am so task oriented that I forget to just laugh and have fun. When is the last time I really had a belly laugh?
- Ended draining relationships-Am I spending more time with those who drain me emotionally and physically than I do with those who fill me up? Do I need to make some adjustments here?
- Expressed gratitude regularly-Who have I recently thanked for their service? My spouse? My children? My co-workers? My pastor and his wife? Maybe I need to handwrite some notes!
- Spent more time doing things that energized me-Recreation and rest increases my energy when I do these things. Am I regular about these activities?
- Got in better physical shape-Exercise takes time and physical exertion but this also gives me more energy and endurance. Am I making a habit of exercise and nutrition?
- Made a commitment to have a greater servant spirit-Do I remember that Jesus was a humble servant and modeled that for ME! Where is He asking me to invest to a greater degree of service?
- Began to pray for my community-It is so easy for me to stay in my home when I am there. But has my hibernation caused me to become blasé about my neighborhood? Where do I need to look around and pray for as well as connect with my community?
Well, how did you do? I didn’t do so well. But this list of questions is one I will continue to keep before me as I seek how to follow Christ more closely and avoid burnout doing life and leading my way!
-Chris Adams, LifeWay