Episode #199: How God Meets Us in Burnout – What’s Going On?!

Hey friends, it's Jen. Welcome to this episode of Good God Talks. We're talking with God about what's going on because there's a lot that's going on in the world and in each one of our individual lives and families.

And I was reading a passage recently that had me asking this question,

Is there burnout in the Bible?

And that's what we're going to be talking about today, because based on the context, I kind of think that there was. And I'm also guessing that a lot of us can relate to seasons of burnout, where we just feel zapped of strength. And there's just this sense of overwhelm or maybe even doom that's looming over us. For me, those tend to be indicators of burnout along with general grouchiness, lack of patience or joy. When I'm just exhausted and drained of energy thinking like, I can't keep doing this.

And we see one of God's prophets in a similar circumstance. We're going to be looking at the story of Elijah, but before we get there, I want to actually jump ahead to James 5:17-18, where it's talking about Elijah. And it says,

“Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” (James 5:17-18 NIV)

We're now going to go back to 1 Kings 18, where we're picking up this story about when Elijah prays for rain. I'm going to read it for us in The Message version, which is more of a paraphrase of the original scriptures in some of our modern, everyday English language.

And in verse 45 through 46, it says,

“Things happened fast. The sky grew black with wind-driven clouds, and then a huge cloudburst of rain, with Ahab hightailing it in his chariot for Jezreel. And God strengthened Elijah mightily. Pulling up his robe and tying it around his waist, Elijah ran in front of Ahab’s chariot…” (1 Kings 18:45-46)

So Ahab is going to tattle on him because Elijah has just thwarted all of the false priests. They're worshiping false gods and they're put to death. And so Ahab is not happy about this. And in 1 Kings chapter 19, the story continues, and it says,

“Ahab reported to Jezebel”—Wicked Queen—”everything that Elijah had done, including the massacre of the prophets. Jezebel immediately sent a messenger to Elijah with her threat: ‘The gods will get you for this and I’ll get even with you! By this time tomorrow you’ll be as dead as any one of those prophets.’

When Elijah saw how things were, he ran for dear life to Beersheba, far in the south of Judah. He left his young servant there and then went on into the desert another day’s journey. He came to a lone broom bush and collapsed in its shade, wanting in the worst way to be done with it all—to just die: ‘Enough of this, God! Take my life—I’m ready to join my ancestors in the grave!’

Exhausted, he fell asleep under the lone broom bush.

Suddenly an angel shook him awake and said, ‘Get up and eat!’ He looked around and, to his surprise, right by his head were a loaf of bread baked on some coals and a jug of water. He ate the meal and went back to sleep. The angel of God came back, shook him awake again, and said, ‘Get up and eat some more—you’ve got a long journey ahead of you.’ He got up, ate and drank his fill, and set out. Nourished by that meal, he walked forty days and nights, all the way to the mountain of God, to Horeb. When he got there, he crawled into a cave and went to sleep.

Then the word of God came to him: ‘So Elijah, what are you doing here?’” 1 Kings 19:1-9 MSG)

And I'll end in the beginning of verse 10. I've been working my heart out for the God of angel armies, said Elijah.

“’I’ve been working my heart out for the God-of-the-Angel-Armies,’ said Elijah…” (1 Kings 19:10a MSG)

And he goes on to communicate his need to God.

Now, that passage of scripture continues where God speaks to Elijah in a still small voice. So we referenced that in a bonus episode talking about the different ways that God speaks. And I'll link that here in the show notes if you want to check that episode out too.

I think this is such a powerful reminder of our own human limitations. Right before this huge moment that Elijah is going to share with God, he is ready to end it all. Even though he just worked really hard to preserve his life, to get away from the king and queen that wanted to kill him. And even though God just supernaturally proved himself against the false prophets at Elijah's word, brought the rain that had been stopped in the land for three and a half years, and enabled Elijah to run faster than a chariot to get away. Elijah's still like, ugh, it'd just be better for me to die. God, kill me now. I'm ready for this to be over.

And that makes me wonder if Elijah was burnt out.

I find this so encouraging for any of us facing burnout, who could also use a nap, some water, and some food.
God doesn't berate Elijah for his needs. He doesn't berate him for his humanity, but instead he provides for what he needs.

I think it's insightful too, that in this difficult moment, Elijah's perspective is quite a bit skewed. All of these amazing things just happened, but he can't see them.
Further on in this chapter, when God continues to talk with Elijah, he's going to tell him, Hey, you're not the only one. Elijah is going to meet Elisha who ends up being the one who takes his mantle after him. So this encouragement is coming, but Elijah in his burnt-out state could have given up. Instead of that happening, God met Elijah's needs.

Don't give in to the burnout or give in to the overwhelm of feeling like all hope is lost. Ask God to meet your needs. And here's a question you can take to him:

God, as you did for Elijah, please shake me awake. What do I need? And how are you providing it?

Have a good talk.

Connect with Jen on Instagram