Is stress and burnout getting the best of you?
It seems our culture continues to push the limits and we have become obsessed with the pursuit of excellence.
Are you constantly trying to be the best at the expense of yourself? Maybe feeling burned out?
Burnout is a stressful state characterized by the physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion, chronic fatigue, and lethargy.
Are you tired all the time? Do you want to just get away?
Someone experiencing burnout may feel cynical towards life, have a strong desire to escape, display emotional distancing, become hypercritical, experience negative feelings towards others, show inappropriate anger, succumb to depression, endure a resulting physical illness, and possibly abuse alcohol.
If you are feeling some or possible all of these, then consider these 5 steps to deal with the signs of burnout....
1. Take Control
Don't relinquish control of your schedule to the whim of everyone else.
Put a concrete plan in place to relieve yourself of some of your responsibilities.
Enlist the aid of family members and friends.
2. Say No
No is a very helpful word and often the overworked don't know how to say it.
While some things cannot be dropped, there may be creative ways to schedule your time that will allow for less stress and more rest.
3. Understand God's Will
God never guides you into an intolerable scramble of overwork. After all, Jesus did not live that way.
Before you say yes to any new activity, pray about it. Even if it is a good activity, now may not be the time.
4. Slow Down
Consciously slow the pace of your life.
Take the time you need to replenish your resources.
5. Set Priorities
You may get less done, but you will be doing the right things.
When you think about what really matters, much of your frenzied activity will be seen for what it is.
Biblical Insight
Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. (Genesis 2:3)
So the Lord said to Moses: "Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone." (Numbers 11:16-17)
But those who wait on 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. (Isaiah 40:31)
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
Take time today to get your life turned around. It is important for you and for the ones you love.
May the Blessings of God Be Upon You!
Father John Mozingo is the Vicar at Holy Cross Anglican Church in Winterville, NC.
The church meets on Sundays at 2668 Church Street.
9am Sunday School
10am Eucharist Service
5:30pm Evensong