Burnout And The Body
You are not a machine that stopped working.
On exhaustion and the permission to stop.
The big idea
Sometimes the most spiritual thing available to you is sleep.
Opening scripture
“Jesus invites worn-out people to come to him. He offers real rest for the soul.”
What does “Burnout And The Body” walk through?
Come, All Who Are Weary
Matthew 11:28 · KJV
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
In plain English
Jesus invites worn-out people to come to him. He offers real rest for the soul.
Who He Invites
Jesus does not call the productive. He calls the tired. Being worn out is the qualification, not the disqualification.
Six Days
Exodus 20:9 · KJV
Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
In plain English
Work for six days and do everything you need to do.
“God built a limit into the week. Ignoring it is not devotion.”
I Will Give You Rest
Exodus 33:14 · KJV
And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
In plain English
The Lord said: my presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.
Elijah Got A Nap First
When the prophet collapsed under a tree, God's first provision was sleep and food — before any conversation about calling.
Still Bearing Fruit
Psalms 92:14 · KJV
They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
In plain English
They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green.
Pray
Jesus, I am exhausted. Teach me to stop before I break. Amen.
Write it down
What are you doing that God never asked you to carry?
Rest is obedience
Sleep. Eat. Then decide.
Which passages does this journey use?
4 passages, drawn from Matthew 11:28, Exodus 20:9, Exodus 33:14, Psalms 92:14. Every verse appears here in the King James text with a plain-English line beside it, so you can read it without a commentary open. Allow about 7 minutes for the whole thing, or 8 short sittings.
- Matthew 11:28
- Exodus 20:9
- Exodus 33:14
- Psalms 92:14
Read any of these in full on the complete KJV, or look the wording up independently at Blue Letter Bible.
More in Anxiety, Grief and Rest
All Anxiety, Grief and Rest →When Anxiety Wakes You
For 3am, when the mind will not stop.
Panic And Presence
Ground yourself in something true.
The Fog Of Depression
When nothing feels like anything.
Grieving Someone You Loved
Sorrow with hope is still sorrow.
When You're The Strong One
Who carries the carrier?
Asking For Help
Pride is expensive.