Bible-Prayer-Europe Equipping Center

Burn Out-Stress

Being in a leadership position allows many opportunities for achievement.  However, any time expectations become too big or the work of a person’s hands becomes their idol, then stress occurs.  This type of stress is caused by unfulfilled expectations.  Some leaders try to avoid this problem, by simply having no expectations, which also causes stress.  Others in leadership positions get so busy completing their own desired achievements that they get out of God’s will and therefore, their achievements are sin. There can be a zeal for God, but without the knowledge of God the zeal will cause a person to do things for God that God never intended that person to do, and the person can be damaged by the stressful effects of over achievement.

Ministers wives need to be aware that burn out does have a cure.  Stress does not have to  “win out” in a Christian’s life.  The cure is simply a strong relationship with Jesus Christ.  Jesus needs to be the focal point of every decision.  To be like Jesus needs to be the desire and goal of the minister’s wife.  Obedience to His commands is necessary in order to receive God’s blessings in a stressful situation.

A minister’s wife must take all problems and worries to Jesus.  “Cast thy burden on the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.  (Psalms 55.22)

A ministers’ wife needs to have the mind of Christ in order to see God working in all situations.  This will help her to not be an overachiever or an underachiever.  As a minister’s wife listens to God’s directions in a situation (The book of Proverbs in the Bible is a good place to gain wisdom for all situations—what God says to do and what not to do) and then follows God’s directions, she is walking in God’s protection, peace, and safety from the physical dangers of stress.

Jesus wants his followers to live an abundant life. He wants them to be healthy and not stressed or burned out.  He does not want a minister’s wife living in soulful, physical, or spiritual stress.

Soul stress involves the mind, the will, and the emotions of a person. For example, problems in a husband and wife relationship would be considered emotional stress. Worry over a child’s health or trying to figure out a financial problem is mental stress.  Choosing the selfish “my way only” is stress caused by the will.

Physical stress is obviously caused by neglect or over indulgence involving the body.  For example, poor nutritional habits result in metabolism malfunction.  Lack of exercise or rest causes the body to become weak and prone to disease.  Even neglect of appearance causes stress because a Christian’s body is the temple of God. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (I Corinthians 3.16)

Spiritual stress occurs when a Christian is out of God’s will for their life.  Spiritual stress occurs when daily prayer and Bible study are neglected.  Spiritual stress occurs when Christians neglect or negate their gifts and calling.  Spiritual stress occurs when idolatry, rebellion, or other sin is present in a Christian’s life.  Spiritual stress occurs when a Christian does not have on the full armor of God.  Spiritual stress occurs when baby Christians do not mature and grow in Christ.  Spiritual stress occurs when Jesus is not exalted, because Christians are double minded.

The result of spiritual, physical, or soulful stress is burn out or defeat.  This defeat in a person’s life is evidenced in many ways.

Emotionally a burned out person may display the characteristics of a quick hot temper, irritability, or apathy and indifference.  They may feel that life is absolutely hopeless.

Physical evidences of burn out may be headaches, body aches, insomnia, blood pressure problems, colds, allergies, etc. A person suffering from burn out also may have a decreased energy level.

Burn out also has spiritual evidences.  A person may be disillusioned about the Bible.  They may feel God is powerless or doesn’t care.  Therefore, the person is not faithful in prayer or Bible study.

The world is always seeking cures for burn out.  However, the Bible has always had the only answer for curing burn out.  This cure is to simply let God control every area of a person’s life.

God will guide and instruct the activities that need to be done in order for a person to lead a balanced life.

 A balanced Christ filled life thwarts burn out.