Have you ever heard someone say, “Ugh, I NEED a vacation!” The exasperation is clear in their voice. Something in their life has been burning them out. They need time away to “decompress.”
The problem is, God has not called us to be burnt out. It’s not that vacations are wrong, but you shouldn’t NEED one so that you don’t self destruct. When did Jesus vacation? What about the disciples? The Apostle Paul? We don’t have record of them pausing their purpose to go somewhere and decompress. They were refreshed and renewed by accomplishing their call. Here’s how:
1. Go To War
Nothing is more draining than the effects of sin in someone’s life. The Bible says that it causes death in every area (Romans 6:23). Although Christians have had their sins forgiven, it’s still vital that we strive to live holy and keep sin far from our lives. As we do, we gain access to the fullness of God’s blessings.
The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. Psalm 84:11 NLT
While searching the Scripture, I have found over 100 individual promises that are available to believers when they determine to live free from sin and live holy before the Lord. We must go to war with sin and fight to keep it out of our homes. Thanks to Jesus, sin is no longer our master (Romans 6:14).
2. Find Your “One Thing”
One of the main reasons that I’ve seen people burn out is they’re attempting to do something they’re not called to do. I’ve met people who were gifted in business and thought that because of their gifting they could be successful in the ministry. As a result they become the senior pastor of a struggling church.
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 19:21 ESV
Rather than struggle doing something you’re not called to do, it’s infinitely better to discover God’s purpose for your life and pursue ONLY that ONE THING. As you do, you will experience the force of God backing you up instead of fighting against God’s plan for your life.
3. Do What You’re Told
Once you’re living in God’s purpose for your life, make sure you only set out to accomplish exactly what God tells you to do. For example, I come from a big family of ministers. Most of them are on TV. However, it would have been a major mistake for me to create my own show and go on TV just because others in my family have.
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1 ESV
Unless God had specifically told me to go on TV, I never would have. I’ve seen people attempt to do what others are doing in their calling and as a result, they stress out, burn out, and sadly, some have to bow out. The key to avoiding all of that is only do what God tells YOU to do.
4. Don’t Solve Every Problem
You can’t, so don’t. No matter what your calling or purpose is, I can tell you what it’s NOT. No one person is called to solve every problem in their city or nation. You will run out of resources before you run out of problems to solve.
You can’t decide that you’re going to save every sinner, feed every starving person, and house every homeless individual. Lack of finances is one of the biggest causes of stress and burn out. Trying to solve every problem will drain you financially.
And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” Luke 22:35 ESV
The answer? Only solve the problems that God has assigned to you. He has sent you for a specific reason. Discover what it is and set all of your resources to accomplishing it. If God didn’t call you to accomplish it, let it go undone.
By simply following these 4 steps, you will experience an ease in life that you may never have known. God didn’t design your life in Christ to be hard and cumbersome. He said that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30)
Bonus: Build Your Faith
Hearing God’s Word will build your faith to do what you’ve been called to do. Now you can listen to the Word being preached anywhere and at any time with Miracle Word Radio! Download it for free on your Apple or Android device!
