Avoiding Purpose Burnout
♥ 12 MIN READ-
Honestly, right now I’m tired. My to-do list is full, and all of it is important: work, church, family, serving, school, blog, purpose. I need a break, but I don’t see one in sight. Burnout is on the horizon. My weeks are full, and my weekends are fuller. I rest, but it’s not enough. I need a timeout.
There’s a difference between being tired and exhausted. Right now I am tired, but there are times I’ve been exhausted on a soul level. So often those of us who grind, “work it out”, and “make it happen” end up feeling burnt out, even when we’re fulfilling our purpose. But if it’s what we’re meant to do then how is burn out possible? Let’s examine.
Burnout is the sunken place where taking one more step forward seems inconceivable. Stagnation is appealing and letting it all go feels ideal. When we’re burnt out death is camouflaged as rest and growth seems unattainable. All we want to do is just stay right here and we don’t care about the consequences. Forget purpose. Forget having more. I’ll just take good enough.
Digging ourselves out of this sunken place takes strategy, but to get out we have to figure out how we got here. (Pop culture reference. Did ya get it?)
What I See Clearly
The key to avoiding burnout is understanding what we carry. When we get to the point where we want to stop everything and let it all go, we have to take inventory of our load. Without understanding what we’re carrying, we’ll drop things we needed for our journey, damage things because we didn’t understand how to carry them, and inherently pick things back up that we should have discarded a few stops back. I’ll say it one more time for the people in the back: When purpose starts to feel too heavy it’s time to examine your load.
Ways You Cause Purpose Burnout
I understand a few ways to avoid purpose burnout because I know how I fall into burnout. I notoriously work myself, stress myself, worry myself (the list goes on and on) into burnout. The cycle is ridiculous. (I’ve gotten much better, thank God).
You Went Higher, But Not Deeper
They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result, but the cause of burnout is doing the same thing when your circumstances have changed. It is rare that our current level of commitment is enough for new levels of purpose. Going higher in purpose requires going deeper into your relationship with God. That’s the spiritual failsafe. It would be dangerous for God to increase the pressure, expand our platform, and give more responsibility without requiring a deeper commitment and understanding of Him. Building higher without reinforcing the foundation is a disaster waiting to happen. When we do more for Him, we need more of Him. It’s that simple. We need the relationship. We need the direction. We need the character growth. Without it, we will operate outside of grace and the pressure of the new level will cause us to collapse.
What I See Clearly
Purpose burnout comes from trying to do the right thing the wrong way.
Most of my 20s were spent trying to find a formula for life that would always work. I thought it would be so easy if X+Y always equaled Z, especially with God, but sadly He wouldn’t allow me to automate our relationship (I think He knew I would end up trusting more in the process than Him).
Every so often I reach a plateau where what once worked, all of a sudden doesn’t work the same- just doing my daily devotional, fasting every so often, or listening to the sermon on Sunday is no longer enough. Then I start feeling like I need more, and nothing I do makes the feeling go away. These are indications that it’s time for a formula change.
The truth is that we often self medicate with expired prescriptions. New levels sometimes require the same remedy but a different dosage. What you’ve done before doesn’t always work. When you’re called to do more, you have to give more. That may mean more time, more discipline, or operating differently. To whom much is given, much is required.
A Message to You
Never forget that this purpose thing is all about the relationship. If your focus ever shifts from that you’ll crash and burn. Burnout is an indication that if you don’t adjust a collision is on the way. It’s not something to “just get through.” It’s something to listen to. Purpose requires surrender and each level requires a deeper dependence, and surrender in new areas. That’s what the challenges are purposed for. That’s what your burnout is propelling you toward. Will you hold on to your burdens or lean in?
You Don’t Understand Your Own Cravings
Before you burn out there are always signs. Like our bodies, our Spirit is always giving us indications of what we need. For me, I’m usually so busy doing, that I rarely stop to listen. My to-do list speaks louder, and I tune my Spirit out. I snack on things here and there, so I consume just enough to keep moving forward, but like empty calories, it doesn’t truly satisfy. I’m still achieving purpose, but I’m wearing myself out in the process. I continue with the bandaid solutions until something forces me to face the problem.
What I See Clearly
We burn out because we don’t know how to decipher the signs of our own need. When we don’t have a balanced diet, we don’t consume what will actually satisfy. We first must understand the difference between our hunger and thirst.
What I have learned is that my hunger has symptoms, and my thirst has signs. They give me hints on what my Spirit is craving.
Hunger Symptoms
- Easily Frustrated or Irritated
- Confusion
- Aimlessness
- Procrastination/Fruitless Activity (Willfulness Distraction)
- Overplanning
- Control
- Avoidance
Thirst Signs
- Bitterness
- Entitlement
- Sadness
- Loss of Motivation
- Complacency
- Feeling Lonely & Unseen
- Pessimism
- Fear
- Hopelessness
The interesting thing is that both my hunger and thirst lead to stagnation but for two very different reasons. When I’m hungry the solution is consumption. I need a word to refocus me. I’m running on outdated information, and it’s time for an upgrade. I need to study God’s word, double-check what I believe, and examine my foundation for weak points. I need to slow down and search my mind for the lies and search God for the truth because I’m malnourished, and that means what I’ve consumed has taken strength instead of given it.
But when I’m thirsty I need connection. I need one on one time in His presence. My soul needs to be refreshed and that happens when I am reminded that God sees me, He loves me, and He’s with me. When I’m thirsty I need to remember what I’m working so hard for. For me, God’s presence washes away the dehydration from my journey and clears my sight so I can remember and continue.
Satisfying both your hunger and thirst are essential, but you have to learn how to identify your cravings and feed them the right way. Self-care is great, but bubble baths and “me time” do nothing if they don’t address the actual problem. They are great if you’re just tired, but they don’t fix purpose burnout. Practical rituals don’t take the place of spiritual growth. A spiritual problem needs a spiritual solution. There is no substitute. Unaddressed cravings become deficiencies.
Your Will Contaminated Your Purpose
So often, to convince myself to step out in purpose I imagine what life will be like operating on the level God showed me. But as I imagine this life, I inherently fill in the blanks with things God didn’t actually say. Looking back I often got frustrated when my purpose walk didn’t line up with the story I outlined in my head. But my lines were crooked. They never truly led to purpose, only to sin because they were based on my strategy, my will, not Gods. My will was something that needed to be surrendered, not penciled in.
I have found that I’m very crafty about inserting my will. It happens so subtly. It starts as a nice idea. Then somehow transforms into a desire and evolves into an expectation (as if it was promised). Then I strategize ways to “make it happen” instead of praying, waiting, and surrendering. If your purpose isn’t surrendered you can never truly be sure if it’s your will or His. If it’s yours the most it can ever be is a plan. If it’s His, it’s Sovereign destiny.
What I See Clearly
Pridefulness and entitlement will erode purposeful productivity. Selfishness will make you bitter, and bitterness will burn you out because you’ll see God withholding instead of providing. What you think He’s doing, you’ll do in response.
There are points in my purpose walk that resulted in a standoff with God where surrendering something I didn’t want to let go of, or I didn’t realize I was holding onto, was required. It saps your energy holding on to something that you’re not purposed for. It takes effort to stand still when God is pushing you to move forward. You will burn out quickly trying to make purpose, AND your will happen. Honestly, there is not space for both.
I once heard someone say the best way to ensure you’re following God’s will is to have no will. That may be hard, but it is possible not to be so tied to a specific outcome that it clouds your judgment. If you’re not at the “no-will” point then at least identify what you want and make peace with the possibility that God’s will may be an alternative outcome. Try to find neutral and focus on trusting that the outcome will be the best even if it’s not what you desired.
Sometimes it’s necessary to go back to the drawing board and ask yourself “What exactly was the last thing God said (or all the things)?” Separate the meaning you attached from the actual message He gave. If necessary, ask again and if the instruction is unclear- ask for clarity. Then wait. It’s not rocket science, just uncomfortable (and usually inconvenient). The key is to wait with a surrendered heart determined that whatever He says, you’re willing to do. This is the posture that gets a response and the pursuit that never burns out. You only burn out when you’re pursuing the wrong things. If the source of what you’re pursuing can’t sustain you, burn out is guaranteed.
You Have a People Problem
It is hardest for me to move in purpose when I become too concerned about people misunderstanding my motives. It creates a struggle because I’m trying to shrink and grow at the same time. Wanting to move forward but resisting the results that forward movement brings, and hating the added opinions that come with the attention causes an exhausting struggle. There’s not room for all of those voices my your head.
What I See Clearly
The only opinions that stick are the ones that echo your fears. So addressing the fear takes the power.
Starting this blog was a nightmare. I struggled to write and create because I didn’t want people to think I was doing this for attention. Every post and video was burdened with hoping people would understand. Even now I don’t invite people to look at my blog, and if they bring it up I shy away from the topic.
- I have two issues.
- I have never liked arrogant people, and I would hate to be lumped in with that group in anyone’s mind.
- I hate to fail with an audience.
What I’m learning is my purpose not only has to be focused but protected. There is protection in understanding what you’re meant to do and why you’re meant to do it. That truth is the bedrock of your purpose. If that’s clear then no outside influences can deter you. But remember unaddressed doubt attracts fear and repels joy. Joy is supposed to be your buffer. It’s what is intended to make the journey easier, but traveling with your fears leaches your energy. It’s like moving in quicksand. You make progress but every step costs you. You’ve got to lighten your load.
A Two-edged Sword
I have also tried to insulate myself by creating an entourage. Purpose is not a group project. God will allow you to have help, but sometimes we try to drag others along who aren’t meant to go, or we try to force others (especially loved ones) into roles that aren’t theirs. We label it as “support” but what we really want is validation and companionship, so we avoid the loneliness of the process.
It is exhausting to try to grow but also stay in your comfort zone. You’re wasting energy. Let God provide your support. You don’t have to manufacture your own purpose. It will attract the people who are supposed to be there. Make peace with the process and patiently wait. There are some things God is meant to provide.
You Haven’t Surrendered the Results
I am very good at constructing a comfort zone to avoid uncomfortable situations and avoid fully trusting God (Why lie? Let’s call a spade a spade). In the past, if growth required the unknown then I would Nancy Drew my way into a solution that was more my will than the truth. I am a planner and I often gauge my progress on results. I call it being solution-oriented, but when I’m not producing like I expected it feels more like being chained to the solution. Being results-driven is not so great when you become driven by the results.
Often my purpose progress becomes pass/fail, and I get caught in the loop of trying to make things happen. I have been so guilty of reducing success in purpose to what I can see on a spreadsheet or on an analytics snapshot. And if I’m being honest, it’s not always so much about being effective, as it is about feeling productive. But is what I’m producing edible? Will it last? Is it fruit, or have I fallen into the trap of making GMO produce when the goal was organic? Simply put am I producing what I want, or am I purposefully producing what God ordained? Am I really doing purpose work or just doing something?
This is the downfall of judging your purpose by results. Spiritual work needs spiritual sight s0 you can see the results that are most important because it’s so easy to get distracted. All of heaven may be rejoicing while you feel like a failure. We have to align our measurements with His. If we don’t, we’ll end up being successful in what’s pointless and failing at what really matters.
Major on the Major
Do what you are called to do and leave the results to God. Don’t get me wrong. Do your best. Operate in excellence, use industry logic, and discern spiritual strategy, but when you have done all you can do, be satisfied with your best. Remember that the results at face value may not be a true indication of your impact.
You’re Operating Out of Obligation, Not Passion
My childhood church taught me a lot of lessons, but the ones I retained caused me to have a healthy awareness of my need to serve God, but not so much to passionately pursue Him. There was not much love in our relationship. I worshipped, studied, served, and stepped out in purpose because I should, but it was more about avoiding the consequences of disobedience instead of being passionate about our relationship.
I’ve learned that “soul tired” usually comes when my time with God has become more obligation than pursuit, more monologue than conversation, or more duty than desire. It’s the experience in His presence that refreshes me and ignites my passion to keep going, so if my time with God feels dry, my thirst leads to exhaustion. The funny thing is that I know the signs of soul dehydration, but I’ll avoid my time with God until something forces me back to Him.
It’s true that relationships cant be built solely on passion, but they can also fizzle out without it. The excitement is what keeps it fresh and interesting. If you’re stepping out in purpose- passion, not obligation, is what you need because no purpose walk is perfect. There will be struggles. Your passion for God will help you run to Him. Obligation will make you resent Him and try to do it yourself.
There is a joy and a grace that’s meant to make our life in purpose easier. But it can only be accessed by love, not duty or obligation. A sense of duty is a good motivator, but when you have worked and done all you can love, not duty, will sustain you.
A Message to You
Your purpose is bigger than you and it’s bigger than this moment. Yes, an untold number of people need you to go on, but more importantly, you need you to go on. There are blessings in moving forward. Stopping promises nothing but stagnation and death. You don’t have time for that. Take the lessons from being burnt out, get what you need for the journey, and keep moving. Your heart’s desire is out there. Stopping has nothing for you.
«Consider This»
Your purpose walk should be a case study of you for you. You’re meant to study yourself.
- What is your solution for burn out?
- What saps your energy and what refreshes you? What do you run to when you’re tired? Do you know why?
- What are your cravings? How do you act when you’re hungry or thirsty?
Let’s have a conversation about this. Share your thoughts below.
