Travel light: Three ways to avoid burnout

“Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu each took his own firepan, put fire in it, placed incense on it, and presented unauthorized fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them to do. Then fire came from the Lord and burned them to death before the Lord.”
Leviticus 10:1-2, HCSB


Leviticus 10:1-4 illustrates the danger of taking on more responsibility than God requires. By presenting “unauthorized fire” before the Lord, Aaron’s sons took on responsibility that was not meant for them. As a result, God’s fire literally burned them up. 

Christian workers are often tempted to take on more responsibility than God requires. When we do — either through usurping the authority of others or taking on responsibilities meant for someone else — we risk not burning up but burning out! When burnout occurs, the work will go on. No one will mourn for us. 

So what can you do to avoid burnout? Here are a few suggestions:

  1. Be still. “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10, NASB). God invites you to be part of His work for your joy and His glory, not so you can fret and worry and fear. His plans are unfolding just as He intended. He will be exalted among the nations! 
  2. Seek God. “You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13, HCSB). God created you for relationship with Him. When seeking Him takes priority over every other pursuit, you will find yourself serving Him with joy, knowing that He is directing your every step. 
  3. Give up control. “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9, HCSB). Control is an illusion. True rest and abundant life come when we hold the life God has given us loosely, recognizing that He has called us to a life of sojourn, a life that seeks to make Him known wherever He has placed us, for our joy and His glory. 
Travel light!





This week’s reading: Exodus 39-Leviticus 18
Post #7: Discovering how to live missionally through a chronological reading of God’s Word.

#travellight





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Thursday, February 12, 2015

Travel light: Three ways to avoid burnout

“Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu each took his own firepan, put fire in it, placed incense on it, and presented unauthorized fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them to do. Then fire came from the Lord and burned them to death before the Lord.”
Leviticus 10:1-2, HCSB


Leviticus 10:1-4 illustrates the danger of taking on more responsibility than God requires. By presenting “unauthorized fire” before the Lord, Aaron’s sons took on responsibility that was not meant for them. As a result, God’s fire literally burned them up. 

Christian workers are often tempted to take on more responsibility than God requires. When we do — either through usurping the authority of others or taking on responsibilities meant for someone else — we risk not burning up but burning out! When burnout occurs, the work will go on. No one will mourn for us. 

So what can you do to avoid burnout? Here are a few suggestions:

  1. Be still. “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10, NASB). God invites you to be part of His work for your joy and His glory, not so you can fret and worry and fear. His plans are unfolding just as He intended. He will be exalted among the nations! 
  2. Seek God. “You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13, HCSB). God created you for relationship with Him. When seeking Him takes priority over every other pursuit, you will find yourself serving Him with joy, knowing that He is directing your every step. 
  3. Give up control. “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9, HCSB). Control is an illusion. True rest and abundant life come when we hold the life God has given us loosely, recognizing that He has called us to a life of sojourn, a life that seeks to make Him known wherever He has placed us, for our joy and His glory. 
Travel light!





This week’s reading: Exodus 39-Leviticus 18
Post #7: Discovering how to live missionally through a chronological reading of God’s Word.

#travellight





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