10 Signs Of Burnout (repost)

December 27, 2011 in Guest Post,Strongology,Techniques with 2 Comments

This is a guest post by Matthew Wade. I posted this content a while back but felt like it needed to be resaid. The problem of burnout is a reality amid those in ministry leadership. I want your 2012 to be victorious and this is a good start.

Matt is doing a great work in helping ministry leaders be authentic and stay strong in their ministries. You can read his posts at human like you, follow Matt on Twitter @mattwade, and connect with Matt on facebook.

BURNOUT

Burnout is a common subject. It shouldn’t be. Why? Because those who have been given a great call should never experience what it is to be “burned out”. The physical body can have 1st, 2nd, & 3rd degree burns. I wonder how deep a burn goes when it relates to the human soul?
I experienced burnout at 25 years old. That’s way too young to have been acquainted with that level of pressure. However, I caused pretty much all of that which I was experiencing. I tried to blame the devil, the church I was pastoring, and others. I even tried to blame my wife. But in reality I am the only one responsible for the care of my own soul. No one else.
There were several things that contributed to my lack of soul care – which in turn caused me to crash and burn. But before I get to those things let me make this statement:
I knew I was in danger of something. I did not know it as “burnout”. I just knew that I was miserable and I was making everyone around me miserable. But, like most I just kept on preaching, leading, etc. I ignored it like many reading this blog. Why? Cause I’m a man of God and can handle anything…right?
I did not handle it – it handled me.
7 things I did to cause my breakdown:
  1. Wrong relationships with other crazy ministers.
  2. I did not pray – ever. Maybe sometimes.
  3. I read my Bible only to prepare a message.
  4. I did not have a balanced relationship with my wife.
  5. I led emotionally, rather than spiritually.
  6. My ego was larger than my love for God.
  7. I did not understand grace.
10 ways to recognize eminent burnout:
  1. If you dread spending time in prayer.
  2. If your relationship with your spouse is good as long as everything at church is good.
  3. If your peace is not in tact at pressured times.
  4. If you lead out of emotions and not wisdom or discernment.
  5. If you consistently sit at your desk and ponder quitting.
  6. If you hate being alone.
  7. If you base your peace and self quality on your work and not on his grace.
  8. If you do not live an accountable life to a friend or mentor.
  9. If you need medication and refuse to take it.
  10. If you love the ministry more that God and your family.
I hope these 10 things (I am sure there are plenty more) can help you gauge your inner health and your relative distance to burnout. Lastly, concerning #9 – I take 10mg of Lexipro everyday to combat General Anxiety Disorder (GAD). It has changed my life for the better. Don’t be ashamed to do what is best for your and your family. Be at peace – even if you have to take prescribed medication.
Photo purchased from www.istock.com

Where Jesus Calls, Jesus Provides

November 15, 2011 in You and God with 8 Comments

Location: The Beach

The Players: Disciples and Jesus

The Issue: Obedience and Provision

The Lesson: In Jesus’ economy, where there is a command, there are provisions (Jesus never leads us to burnout).

Watch:

Got any thoughts??

.

Change Up

October 28, 2011 in Blog with 7 Comments

Matt CainThe change-up is thrown with the same arm action as a fastball, but at a lower velocity due to the pitcher holding the ball in a special grip. This difference from what is expected by the arm action and the velocity can confuse the batter into swinging the bat far too early and thus receiving a strike, or not swinging at all. Should a batter be fooled on the timing of the pitch and still make contact, it will cause a foul ball or the ball being put into play weakly, usually resulting in an out.

Your aim: Strike out burnout. Keep it from ever getting on base (God forbid, a home run). Are you in a rut? Been doing the same ol’ same ol’? Maybe it’s time to change-up your routine.

Watch a baby laugh on YouTube.

Take the long way home and meditate on God’s provision and presence.

Write a thank you note to your spouse with your non-writing hand.

Read Psalm 100 backwards.

Allow yourself 30 minutes of uninterrupted day dreaming.

Stay fresh. Stay strong.

You do you change things up to stay strong?

10 Signs Of Burnout (guest post by Matthew Wade)

October 26, 2011 in Blog with 14 Comments

This is a guest post by Matthew Wade. Matt is doing a great work in helping ministry leaders be authentic and stay strong in their ministries. You can read his posts at human like you, follow Matt on Twitter @mattwade, and connect with Matt on facebook.

BURNOUT

Burnout is a common subject. It shouldn’t be. Why? Because those who have been given a great call should never experience what it is to be “burned out”. The physical body can have 1st, 2nd, & 3rd degree burns. I wonder how deep a burn goes when it relates to the human soul?
I experienced burnout at 25 years old. That’s way too young to have been acquainted with that level of pressure. However, I caused pretty much all of that which I was experiencing. I tried to blame the devil, the church I was pastoring, and others. I even tried to blame my wife. But in reality I am the only one responsible for the care of my own soul. No one else.
There were several things that contributed to my lack of soul care – which in turn caused me to crash and burn. But before I get to those things let me make this statement:
I knew I was in danger of something. I did not know it as “burnout”. I just knew that I was miserable and I was making everyone around me miserable. But, like most I just kept on preaching, leading, etc. I ignored it like many reading this blog. Why? Cause I’m a man of God and can handle anything…right?
I did not handle it – it handled me.
7 things I did to cause my breakdown:
  1. Wrong relationships with other crazy ministers.
  2. I did not pray – ever. Maybe sometimes.
  3. I read my Bible only to prepare a message.
  4. I did not have a balanced relationship with my wife.
  5. I led emotionally, rather than spiritually.
  6. My ego was larger than my love for God.
  7. I did not understand grace.
10 ways to recognize eminent burnout:
  1. If you dread spending time in prayer.
  2. If your relationship with your spouse is good as long as everything at church is good.
  3. If your peace is not in tact at pressured times.
  4. If you lead out of emotions and not wisdom or discernment.
  5. If you consistently sit at your desk and ponder quitting.
  6. If you hate being alone.
  7. If you base your peace and self quality on your work and not on his grace.
  8. If you do not live an accountable life to a friend or mentor.
  9. If you need medication and refuse to take it.
  10. If you love the ministry more that God and your family.
I hope these 10 things (I am sure there are plenty more) can help you gauge your inner health and your relative distance to burnout.  Lastly, concerning #9 – I take 10mg of Lexipro everyday to combat General Anxiety Disorder (GAD). It has changed my life for the better. Don’t be ashamed to do what is best for your and your family. Be at peace – even if you have to take prescribed medication.
Photo purchased from www.istock.com

4 Questions About Burnout

October 25, 2011 in Blog with 6 Comments

3D Character and Question MarkYou’re a ministry leader. Your eye is on the ball – your calling. There is a threat that lingers close by. We call it burnout. It’s waiting to trip you up, make you fall, lead you to despair.

But that doesn’t have to be the case. You don’t have to be a statistic. The first step in overcoming burnout is knowing what it is in the first place. Then understanding how it works, how to get out of it, and how to prevent it. Those are the 4 questions we will deal with in this paper.

4 Questions About Burnout

Knowledge is the first step to victory.

 

How To Tell If You’re Burning Out

October 4, 2011 in Blog with 12 Comments

“How do I know if I’m in burnout?”

I get that question from time to time. It doesn’t happen in a sudden instant. It’s more like falling in love (not that burnout is like love). But think about it for a moment. How do you know when you’re in love? Let me pull back the curtain and let you hear what was going on in my mind after I got to know this great girl with brown eyes and a southern accent (who later became my wife):

“I can’t stop thinking about her.”

“I want to be with her.”

“She’s all I want to please.”

“I wonder what she thinks of me.”

There are similarities to this kind of inner self-talk when you are falling into burnout.

“I can’t stop thinking about the pain.”

“I want to be by myself all the time.”

“All I want to please is myself.”

“I wonder what others are thinking about me.”

The key to knowing whether or not you are experiencing burnout is if you can’t get out of these feelings and get back to your normal self. You are stuck. Personal growth isn’t happening. Your, “Yeah I’m in pain, but God is still in control.” has morphed into, “Yeah I’m in pain.”

Get.Help.Today.

Have you fallen into burnout? Seek help, period. Put your pride aside and seek out someone who will help you regain the fire you’ve lost. There is no shame in asking for help. In fact, asking for help is a little known aspect of personal growth.

 

 

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