Self-Care & Burnout Prevention

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
-Matthew 11:28 | NIV

Sometimes, the most spiritual thing you can do is rest.

Yes, ministry is urgent. Life is demanding. And for many of us, the pressure to perform and produce never seems to lift. But here’s a truth the Spirit whispers gently: Your body is keeping score. And when your soul is burdened and your rhythms are broken, burnout may not be far off.

God calls us to run our race, not to run ourselves into the ground.

Recognizing the Signs of Burnout

Burnout doesn’t always announce itself with a crash. It often sneaks in through subtle changes:
   •   Disrupted sleep, forgetfulness, and chronic fatigue
   •   Loss of joy in daily routines like walks, prayer, or creative hobbies
   •   Missed deadlines on personal projects—even though you’re still productive professionally
   •   Emotional detachment, irritability, or withdrawal from loved ones
   •   Feeling spiritually dry, overwhelmed, or constantly “on edge”

This is the Productivity Paradox: You’re still delivering results, but internally, you’re running on empty. You convince yourself that “since I’m still performing, I must be fine.” But the truth is—you’re not meant to survive on fumes.

The Wisdom of Pause

I once heard the story of a woman who looked ten years older than her age, despite being active and high-performing. Her secret? “I kept running—literally—and I never stopped to recover. The stress aged me.” That’s what burnout does: It robs you silently until your body can no longer hide it.

Stress in itself isn’t evil—it becomes harmful when we ignore the signals.

Spiritual Action Steps:

1.⁠ ⁠Acknowledge the warning signs without guilt.
Stress is not weakness—it’s data. Don’t condemn yourself; instead, listen and adjust.

2.⁠ ⁠Return to your life-giving rhythms.
Restart your daily walks. Go back to your place of prayer. Even if it’s 15 minutes, let it be sacred.

3.⁠ ⁠Protect your purpose.
Delay a project if needed. Not every goal must be achieved now. Your well-being matters more than your output.

4.⁠ ⁠Retreat intentionally.
Take time off to be alone—not just for escape, but for renewal. Talk to God like a friend.
Carry your Bible and a journal. Write down what the Lord impresses on your heart. Then make a decision to follow through.

Here are some things to reflect on;
   •   Are there signals my body or mind has been sending that I’ve ignored?
   •   Where have I traded soul health for outward productivity?
   •   What can I reintroduce into my life this week that brings restoration?

“God doesn’t just want you to win in ministry—He wants you to win in life.”
— Dr. Beulah Tokunbo Johnson

Let Us Pray

Lord Jesus, You promised rest for the weary, and renewal for the burdened. Teach me to recognize the limits You built into my humanity. Give me grace to pause, to reflect, and to return to rhythms that restore my soul. Help me live fully—not just for You, but with You. 

In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen

Praying in the Spirit for 30 minutes (Take out some more time to pray more in the cause of the day or night)

DAILY BIBLE READING PLAN 

Exodus 37

Proverbs 13

John 16

Ephesians 6