READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l Slow down or our bodies will make us rest because God knows we need it.
Burnout is not incompatible with the Christian faith. Christians do burnout with panic attacks or struggle to keep mentally balanced. There is hope, however, and nothing to be ashamed of. Burnout characteristics are clearly illustrated in 1 Kings 19.
1. Depersonalisation – Elijah left his servant in Beersheba to travel by himself into the wilderness. (v3) He was depressed and disconnected. Not only does depression distance and detach us from others, it disengages our minds from our feelings so we cannot sense happiness even when engaging in a happy activity.
2. Despair – Elijah prayed for God to take his life and compared himself with others. (v4) He felt a deep sense of futility – that nothing he did would make a difference.
3. Depletion – Elijah slept from sheer exhaustion till he was “shaken” by an angel. After eating and drinking, he fell back to sleep again – emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually spent. (v5-6)
Like Elijah, we too can experience burnout being very zealous for the LORD, and over-extending ourselves so that our output exceeds our input.
Discipleship Lessons to Deal with Burnout
1. Rest – God knows we are physical beings and need water, food and sleep. He provided Elijah the rest and nourishment he needed in the wilderness. As our good God and loving Father, He will do the same for us – and more than all we ask or can imagine! Besides praying and doing quiet time, REST is about receiving food and recreation that enable us to serve God – not through gritted teeth but in genuinely happy ways.
2. Slow Down – From embracing bigger roles to smaller, walking to work, bravely starting therapy, Pastor John Mark Comer (Author, The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry) resigned from leading a mega church to take a sabbatical with his family. “Waking up to his soul” by attending to his emotional wellbeing, he worked fewer hours, dated his wife, played with his children, practised the Sabbath, detoxed from Netflix, walked the dog… Going from addiction to “mega” work which gave him significance before, to slowing down from hurrying was a gradual, intermittent struggle resulting in maturation as he reconnected with God and his own soul. Likewise, from Eugene Peterson in The Jesus Way, “We stop, whether by choice or through circumstance, so that we can be alert, attentive and receptive to what God is doing in and for us… We wait for our souls to catch up with our bodies.”
3. Seek God in the Silence – God listened to Elijah’s feelings. God only spoke to him after more than 40 days. (v9) He gave Elijah the gift of His presence. God does not fix us but suffers alongside us to strengthen us in our darkness. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” cried Jesus, the Son of Man on the cross. God understands how alone we feel in our suffering. Today, we too can experience God in “a sound of sheer silence” (v12) by journeying with Wesley Companions in Christ, and through silent retreats like Strangely Warmed. Beyond asking God to meet our needs, being silent in His presence is probably the least practised discipline for Christians today. But scripture commands us, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him… know that I am God.” (Psalm 37:7, 46:10)
What then is best? According to Max Lucado, it is to be reverent before God. To be quiet. Though anxiety-inducing at first because of unfamiliarity, press on and JOY will come. Baptist evangelist Vance Havner who preached on the stewardship responsibility of getting proper rest, advocated for Christians to wisely plan for times of rest. After all, who wants to be like the devil who never takes a vacation?
Is it time for you to bask in God’s warm love, and let your soul catch up with your body so you can hear Him in the silence?
(Sermon notes by Marjorie Tan)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Have you felt burned-out by the demands of work / ministry / caregiving responsibilities recently?
- Output: What are the things that you’re currently doing that take the most time and physical/emotional/spiritual energy? Make a list.
- Input: What are things that you like that brings you joy or refills your physical, emotional, and spiritual tank? Make a list.
- Discuss: with your small group / spouse on how to help one another refill your physical, emotional and spiritual tank.
- How have you experienced the presence of the LORD this week? Pause and take a moment to breathe deeply and reflect.
- Where were you sitting or standing when you experienced the tangible presence of God?
- How did you feel?
- When was the last time you heard God speak to you?
- What did God say to you?
- What did God show you?
- How did you feel?
- Is there anyone you know who is going through burnout / depression? Spend some moments in prayer for your friend/family member.
- Have you ever practiced the spiritual discipline of being silent and listening to God’s “still small voice”? Consider how to you can implement it as a daily practice and share it with your small group/spouse to help keep you accountable.
