1. The high calling of Christ Jesus. He has called us to give up our lives for Him. Paul talks about being a drink offering poured out for the Lord. It is a privilege to be used up for the Lord. So this great and worthy purpose compels us to press on to the mark--and we get fatigued.
2. We're human. It's always been interesting to me to think about the human side of our Lord Jesus. Fully divine, yes; but also fully human. He grew thirsty, tired, and hungry in John 4. He was so tired after preaching and ministering that He slept in the bottom of the boat during a raging storm in Mark 4. The human side of Jesus had limitations. So do we.
3. Insecurities. Truth be known, we over-extend ourselves because we have something to prove: that we're not lazy, that we earn our wage, that we are needed, that we're worthy of the position.
This last reason of course is why ministry fatigue moves from brownout into burnout or even breakdown. We don't let ourselves observe Sabbath, not because our folks won't let us, but because we won't let us. We fool ourselves into thinking that the task is too great, the time too short, the calling too strong--when really, down deep, it's because our insecurities are too profound. Until you come to grips with this: you'll always be living in the unhealthy, and I'd say even ungodly realm of extreme ministry fatigue. Past just being tired. Past even brownout, which happens in the normal flow of ministry. Experiencing burnout or breakdown is not about our calling; it's about our pride. Believe me, I know personally and have seen it countless times in others.
The result is a loss of zeal for ministry, or quitting all together. Breakdowns emotionally, particularly in the area of chronic anxiety. Physical breakdowns as your body craters under the pressure (heart, weight gain/loss, cancer, joints, back). And then the relationship breakdowns are the most tragic: marriages crumbling, kids rebelling, families dysfunctional.
This is sin. Confess it and ask God to give you His perspective. And then change your schedule and lifestyle. I'll share what I've done next.
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