“As soon as Jesus heard the news [that John the Baptist had been killed], he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns.”
We've all been there. Life gets extraordinarily challenging, overwhelming, or just plain exhausting, and we stop wanting to care about anything or anyone. Trying to get the energy together to even take care of ourselves sometimes feels like a mountain we can't climb.
The Bible is actually very realistic about emotional numbness and burnout. A lot of people in the Bible felt empty, exhausted, or unable to care anymore. David, Elijah, and even Jesus are just a few.
No Reason for Shame
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
It's important to note that God NEVER shamed these people for feeling overwhelmed. In some cases, He does reprimand believers for not trusting in Him, but God never calls out anyone for just being physically or emotionally tired.
God never invalidates their feelings either. He never says that having physical and emotional needs are weaknesses. He has great compassion for the those who have been beaten down (Psalm 34:17-20).
A Call to Rest
“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Rather than making us feel guilty for having hearts and bodies that get tired, God calls us to take care of our physical selves. The first part of 1 Kings 19 describes God feeding Elijah and allowing him to sleep when he got overwhelmed.
The very concept of taking a day out of the week to rest (Genesis 2:2-3) wasn't just to bog us down with more rules. God knows that we need to take consistent breaks from the stress of everyday life (Matthew 11:28). It's why we have the Sabbath (Mark 2:27).
God understands our emotional exhaustion too. Jesus often separated from groups to recover (Matthew 14:13). He also wept openly (John 11:35). It's OK to feel your emotions. When you're already emotionally drained, it's 100% natural to struggle with feeling patient or compassionate with others. That struggle doesn't mean you're a bad person; it means you're a human being who needs rest.
Overcoming Burnout
If you're already feeling burned out, overwhelmed, and exhausted, it probably sounds like too much work to figure this out. I get that. And unfortunately, there are no magical solutions that work for everyone, so you may need to try some different things. But it's important to learn how to rest well so you can get yourself out of this awful space. So what can you do to take care of your physical and emotional health?
Do you have a hobby you enjoy, just for the sake of enjoying it? When was the last time you went outside to touch grass or look at a tree? Is there a walking path near you? Does going to a gym or playground help you de-stress?
Have you considered attending therapy to get things off your chest? Have you developed healthy coping mechanisms? Do you need more sleep? Would scheduling an hour off screens every day be helpful? Or would scheduling an hour to play a mindless game or read a book help ease some tiredness?
Keep It Simple
You don't need to do everything at once. Pick one thing to try this week and do it for a day. If you like it, do it the next day. If you still like it, go for three days. Next week, pick something else to try for a day.
And as you explore new options for rest, talk to God and know that He's with you (Psalms 34:18). He hears you and sees your pain. You're not going to feel better overnight, but God promises to be with you the entire time.
“Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”