Introduction
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
All of us have responsibilities and things in life that can so easily weigh us down. Often many of us fall into the trap of getting so busy and overwhelmed with the things of life that we reach a place called burnout. This place is full of anxiety, detachment, physical and emotional exhaustion and much more. It is not a place you want to be.
But as always, God shows us in His Word how to avoid getting to that place. He tells us in Matthew 11:28 that all who come to Him with their labors and burdens, He will give them rest. We see then that simply put—to avoid burnout, go to God!
In this post we will talk about how you can do that and more on what God says about this topic, so keep reading to find out more!
What Is Burnout?
Burnout is more than just feeling tired after a long day. It’s a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion, often accompanied by a sense of dread, detachment, and even hopelessness. It happens when we are operating beyond our limits for too long without true rest.
Self-Reliance
At the root of burnout is often self-reliance. We start thinking it’s all up to us. We take on too much and try to carry what only God can handle. The more we strive in our own strength, the more we wear ourselves down. Proverbs 3:5 reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” When we lean on ourselves, we burn out. When we lean on Him, we’re sustained.
People-Pleasing Rather Than Doing What God Called You to Do
Another contributor to burnout is people-pleasing. We can’t say “yes” to everything and everyone because we are worried we’ll disappoint someone. In doing that, we say “no” to God’s best for us. God may only want you to do one thing and you’re saying yes to five. No wonder you get burnt out!
Always pray and ask God before saying yes to adding another responsibility to your life. Galatians 1:10 reminds us that we are to seek God’s approval, not man’s. We must align our lives with His calling, not with every request that comes our way.
Biblical Foundation
Isaiah 40:31 “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
This verse shows us that our strength is renewed not by mere rest, but by waiting on the Lord.
Hebrews 4:9-11 “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God… Let us therefore strive to enter that rest…”
God didn’t just suggest rest—He commanded it. True rest isn’t laziness; it’s obedience and honor to God.
Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything… and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
When we bring everything to God in prayer, He doesn’t just respond with answers—He responds with peace.
Jesus’ Example
Jesus took time to rest. He got away, prayed, and spent time with God. Getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising are great, but they are not enough to avoid burnout. We must take intentional time to spend with God just like Jesus did.
Luke 5:16 “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
Even the Son of God made time to retreat and recharge in the Father’s presence. If He needed to, then so do we.
Practical Application
Sabbath
Sabbath in the New Covenant is intimacy with Christ. Jesus is the Lord of the sabbath and He is the sabbath. He is the rest we will enter and the rest we have now by His Spirit. This does not mean you never have to rest physically, and if it’s within your capability take a full day of rest weekly. Just know that Jesus is Lord of the sabbath—stay close to Him and you will find rest.
Sleep
God designed our bodies to need sleep. Prioritizing rest is not laziness—it’s stewardship.
Community
You were never meant to carry life alone. Surround yourself with godly community that encourages and refreshes you. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens.”
Prayer and Thanksgiving
As we saw in Philippians, when we pray and give thanks to God, He fills us with peace we can’t understand. It surpasses our ability to understand it! His peace is more wonderfully overwhelming than any burnout could ever be—in the best way!
Warnings or Misconceptions
Burnout is not the same as being tired. Tiredness is normal. Burnout is prolonged, unsustainable exhaustion that impacts your soul.
Being tired is not a sin. Even Jesus got tired. The danger comes when we ignore the need for rest and push beyond what God has asked of us.
Reflection Questions:
- What areas of my life am I carrying in my own strength instead of giving them to God?
- Am I saying yes to things God never asked me to do? (Seeking to please people rather than God)
- Do I have a regular Sabbath and intentional times of rest?
- When was the last time I withdrew like Jesus did to spend time in prayer?
- Who in my life can help support me and keep me accountable for resting well?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for loving me. Thank you for your rest. Thank you for the invitation to come to You. Help me to receive it daily and rest in Your goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Conclusion:
Burnout doesn’t have to be part of your life. God gives us the tools, the wisdom, and the rest we need to walk in peace and purpose. The more we align with Him, the more strength we’ll find—not in striving, but in surrender. Remember: rest is not weakness. It is worship. And it’s where we are renewed.
Call to Action:
If this message encouraged you, share it with a friend who might be feeling overwhelmed. Take one practical step this week—maybe it’s carving out a true Sabbath, spending time in prayer, or respectfully saying “no” to something that’s been draining you. And most importantly, run to Jesus. His rest is real, and it’s available to you today.
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Check out my last post on what God says about grief and loss Here! And stay tuned for my next post on what God says about finding Balance and Avoiding Burnout Here!
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References:
- Bible Gateway. (n.d.). BibleGateway.com.
- What does the Bible say about burnout?. (n.d.). GotQuestions.org.
- Burnout. (n.d.). South County Church of Christ.
- The way out of burnout. (n.d.). Desiring God.
- How Jesus avoided burnout. (n.d.). Franciscan Media.
- Avoiding burnout. (n.d.). Bible Hub.
- Bible verses about burnout. (n.d.). OpenBible.info.
