When I read 2 Corinthians 6: 3-13, I see how Paul laid out his life for the gospel. As I talk with pastors I sometimes hear their own stories of fatigue, stress and conflict. There is no doubt the ministry can take it out of you. I know from my own experience a few years ago, that when you feel down in ministry it is not easy to know who to talk to. I personally wasn’t really talking to anyone. I held on tighter and tighter, pushed harder and harder while my soul was growing weaker and weaker. Eventually I stepped away from ministry. The term used at the time was “burnout.” I didn’t like that word. As a young pastor I worked under the authority of an experienced senior pastor. He drilled into me that burnout was not real. I believed him at the time. I held that belief until I was a burned out pastor. Now I understand that ministry professionals are especially susceptible to this level of exhaustion.
Are you in danger of burnout? Are you aware of any danger signals? The Mayo Clinic provides some helpful insights. I also found an on-line self assessment that might be helpful to you.
My biggest concern is that toasty ones don’t start talking to anyone soon enough. The result may be feeling emotionally and spiritually dead.
What can you do today to ensure that you don’t burnout? If you need suggestions, give me a call.
From a charcoaled brother: The symptoms of long-term stress disorder (i.e. burnout) are very similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), experienced by people victimized by abuse or traumatized by battle horrors. A wise brother named Welling once told me, “I will only help you succeed at being who you are.” In my experience, much of my “ministry” stress came from trying to be something someone I was not.