How To Identify and Heal From Burnout With the Jesus Challenge

Burnout is an unsettling experience. 

You might feel stretched thin, joyless in roles you once loved, and pouring from an empty cup. The things you’re most passionate about lose their spark and the work, people, and dreams you once cherished become more draining than fulfilling. 😣Hopelessness clouds your mind and heart, and it’s hard to imagine any other kind of life. 

It’s disorienting and scary, leaving you wondering, “What’s wrong with me?” 

First of all, I want to say that you’re NOT crazy. You might not feel like yourself so you’re doubling down to get back on track. But that will likely hurt you more than help if you’re burnt out. 🥺

Burnout isn’t just exhaustion. It’s the habit of constantly pouring out but never refilling. Countless Christians face this struggle daily and don’t know how to get out of it. They believe that resting is ungodly, the work will fail without them, and they’re worthless if they don’t contribute. Do you ever feel that way? 

Friend, I’m happy to tell you those statements are NOT true. (Even if they feel true.) 😅

There IS a way out of this fog!  A practical, easy way to get there is with the Jesus Challenge. No, it’s not another task to add to your towering pile. It’s a set of simple habits for you to follow every day. And as you follow these easy habits, you slowly regain the hope, energy, and clarity you so desperately need. 

What is (And Isn’t) Burnout? 

Did you know the term “burnout” is borrowed from rocket science? It describes the moment a rocket’s fuel is completely expended and the rocket falls back to earth and crashes. 

Some interesting similarities there. 🤔 This term is often misunderstood, so let’s clarify what we’re talking about. 

❌ Burnout is not: feeling tired or stressed after a long day. You might feel drained but recover with a good night’s sleep. 

✅ Burnout is: a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress or overwork. 

❌Burnout is not: fixed by a vacation, a weekend off, or a night in. 

✅Burnout is: a feeling of constant depletion that doesn’t improve with rest. 

❌Burnout is not: laziness or lacking discipline. 

✅Burnout is: a condition that often hits despite hard work, especially in those who are deeply committed to their roles and have a pattern of overextending themselves. 

❌Burnout is not: a sign of weakness or “not enough faith.” 

✅Burnout is: something that can affect anyone, no matter their strength and dedication. 

❌Burnout is not: temporary frustration or dissatisfaction. 

✅Burnout is: a state that can lead to cynicism, detachment, and chronic hopelessness. 

❌Burnout is not: a phase that will go away on its own or can easily be resolved by “just changing your mindset.” 

✅Burnout is: a real physiological response that, without intentional recovery, can worsen over time and requires more than just positive thinking to overcome. 

❌Burnout is not: just about being overworked. 

✅Burnout is: often a mix of emotional exhaustion, feeling unappreciated, and losing your sense of purpose. 

Who Experiences Burnout? 

Burnout can affect anyone, but there is a group of people who are more prone to it than others. 😬These people often have a combination of the following characteristics: 

• Push themselves too hard for too long without enough time to rest and recover.
• Start with high expectations and refuse to adjust along the way.
• Face a lot of failure and stress due to the nature of their work.
• Goals are often set by others, not themselves.
• Take on too many commitments.
• Achievers who struggle to say no.
• The demands placed on them become overwhelming and don't align with their personal values.
• Depend too much on their job for self-worth and have few outside interests.

If these descriptions fit your personality, be alert for burnout. ⚠️ Even if you haven’t experienced it yet, it’s important to take preventative measures NOW so it doesn’t blindside you. 

An excellent way to do that is by joining the Jesus Challenge, but we’ll get there in a second. 😉

Signs of Burnout To Watch For: 

If you’re unsure whether or not you’re experiencing burnout, here are some common symptoms. Remember, everyone feels negative emotions at various moments throughout life, but a constant, steady inundation of these symptoms can signify burnout. 

Physical: 

• Constant tiredness or fatigue 
• Frequent headaches or stomach issues 
• Weight gain or loss
• Changes in appetite
• Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
• Teeth and jaw clenching 
• Frequent colds 
• Heart racing, sweating, or feeling cold all the time 
• Nervous habits like picking your nails or grinding your teeth
• Increased smoking, drinking, or spending

 Mental and Emotional: 

• Difficulty concentrating and forgetfulness
• Feeling afraid but not knowing what you're scared of
• Sudden mood swings 
• Feeling numb and disconnected
• Growing sadness or anger 
• Relentless worry, guilt, or shame
• Feeling alone and overwhelmed
• Increased rash, risk-taking behavior
• Feeling helpless and powerless 
• Closed off to new ideas of ways of doing things
• Loss of humor 
• All-or-nothing thoughts
• Reckless driving 

 Relational and Behavioral: 

• Easily irritated or angered 
• Apathy towards things you’re normally passionate about 
• Feeling that everything is slipping out of control 
• Low patience and quick to criticize others
• Pulling away from family and friends
• Losing compassion and becoming less emotionally sensitive to others’ needs  
• Don’t see the world as a safe place 
• Paranoia 
• Discouraged about the future 
• Ideals seem to be falling apart 
• Feeling too paralyzed to make a decision 
• Increased conflicts with those close to you

 Work:

• No job satisfaction, feeling “stuck”
• Job performance decreasing 
• Avoid and minimize contact with clients or coworkers 
• Nightmares of stressful events at work 
• Thinking about upsetting aspects of work when you’re doing other things 
• Tardy or absent from work more often than before 
• Over-working and unable to set boundaries 
• Trouble leaving work at work 
• Becoming defensive when offered feedback 
• Feeling disconnected from work goals or team

Spiritual: 

• Unsure of your purpose in life and even the meaning of life itself 
• Not believing that humans are basically good 
• Feeling like God is distant and not listening 
• Believing none of your efforts make a difference in the world 
• Believing you are solely responsible for outcomes, and everything depends on you 

If you find yourself experiencing several of these symptoms regularly, there’s no need to worry. Recognizing the signs of burnout is the first step toward healing and finding balance, so you’re on the right track! 🥳

Remember, burnout isn’t a weakness or failure, but it’s a warning sign that something needs to change. ⚠️

Burnout Self-Assessment: 

Burnout creeps in slowly and quietly. Before you know it, it feels impossible to shake, and you believe you’re doomed to live like this forever. 😔

Take a look at the four stages of burnout below and note where you find yourself regularly. Though there is no score on this quiz, I encourage you to speak with a friend, mentor, or counselor about your results. 

Stage 1: Energy Shortage 😮‍💨

• Constant exhaustion that doesn’t go away with rest.
• Denial – brushing off that anything’s wrong.
• Pulling back emotionally from work or ministry. 
• Feeling little or no satisfaction from your roles. 
• Becoming sarcastic or showing verbal contempt toward others. 

Stage 2: Chronic Symptoms ☹️

• Narrow perspective, making it hard to see options. 
• Feeling unappreciated and often angry about it.
• Heightened fears or suspicions of work or people (usually without reason).
• Growing sense of disconnection, trouble thinking clearly, and harder decision-making.
• Depression that may start in one area of life but eventually spreads.

Stage 3: Crisis 😵‍💫

• A deeply negative outlook that things cannot and will not change 
• Feeling trapped with no way out.

Stage 4: Crash 🤕

• Overwhelming hopelessness.
• Drastic options – such as suicide – may be considered as the only way out. 

If you can relate to any of these stages, I highly recommend you speak with a trusted mentor or counselor. ❤️‍🩹Burnout often goes unnoticed and surprises us when we’re already in the later stages. 

As you can see, burnout is no laughing matter. It’s a very prevalent and serious issue among many Christians today, and it can lead to devastating results. 

But I have good news! 

Burnout is preventable, treatable, and does not define you. 💪

Now that we’ve identified the sneaky onset of burnout, I want to introduce you to something that can walk you out of this fog, one step at a time, until you’re once again living in freedom, joy, and clarity: the Jesus Challenge. 

5 Ways the Jesus Challenge Helps Prevent and Heal Burnout 

Thankfully, my virtual Jesus challenge doesn’t just help you “get by” or manage chaos better – it actually helps you heal, restore your freedom, and thrive in God’s purpose for you. 

But first, let’s clarify what this virtual Christian challenge entails. When you sign up for the Jesus challenge, you commit to the following: 

1. Reading a passage of pre-assigned Scripture every day for 40 days 📖
2. Walking or running 1 mile every day for 40 days 🚶
3. Joining an amazing accountability group dedicated to cheering you on 📢
4. Participating in optional daily challenges to apply your daily reading to real life 🙌

Here are five specific ways this virtual Jesus challenge helps you get back on your feet: 

When everything feels like it needs to be your #1 priority, my virtual Christian challenge helps you get back in the habit of prioritizing uninterrupted, quiet, focused time with God every day. You might feel like your hectic efforts are done unto the glory of God, but sometimes we’ve actually slipped away from intimacy with God without even realizing it. 

This might be THE most important aspect of the Jesus challenge if you struggle with burnout. 👀By committing yourself to daily walks and reading, you're holding healthy boundaries. Every time you say “yes” to something – like daily walks and reading – you say “no” to something else. As you replace things that drain you with habits that replenish you – like listening to God’s voice – you'll start to feel like yourself again and regain your energy and joy.  

God designed us for rest but our culture rarely honors that. My virtual Jesus challenge incorporates rest into your busy life but in a natural and practical way. Getting outside and away from your circumstances every day helps clear your head and focus on what God’s saying to you. 😌 This built-in rest allows your body and spirit to heal, loosening burnout's grip on you.

The Lord says that his word never returns empty or void, and it always accomplishes His purpose. Even if you can't tell that he's working, God is renewing your mind as you expose yourself to Scripture. ❤️‍🩹Let your heart soak in God's promises as you meditate on his Word daily. He will not fail you! 

Isolation is one of the devil's best strategies to keep us in darkness. Even though interacting with people might be the last thing you want to do, God provided the body of Christ to encourage, challenge, and support you. My virtual Jesus challenge includes a private Facebook group of down-to-earth, kind-hearted people just like you. They've been right where you are, and they're eager to support you in reclaiming your freedom! 🙌

Heal and Renew Your Soul with the Jesus Challenge 

Friend, I hope this blog offers you some new perspectives on your current situation. I know it takes courage to look at reality, but you’re not doomed to stay stuck in it. Though it feels debilitating and confusing, there is hope for you to return to the joy, passion, and purpose for which God designed you! 🥳

If you’re ready to make a lifestyle change, consider the Jesus Challenge. It’s an easy, simple, non-overwhelming way to reprioritize life-giving habits and slowly make your way out of burnout. 

Imagine living full of hope and joy again. 🥹 THAT life is available to you, and I’d love to help you get there. Sign up for my virtual Christian challenge below to stop the crippling cycle of burnout and get your life back.