Devotionals

Burning Yourself Out

by Gale Wilcox
02/23/15
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Burnout is a state of emotional, physical and spiritual exhaustion. Many times, burnout is the result of having worked on a particular task, or at a particular place for an extended period of time, using the mind and physical strength.

Nowhere does God command or condone working so hard, that we become burned out. He himself demonstrated the importance of rest on the seventh day of creation, not because he was tired, but to set the standard for mankind to follow - "And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, because that in it He had rested from all his work which God created and made" (Genesis 2:3), and Jesus re-confirmed this in Mark 2:27 when He said - "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath."

Hearing the cases of all the people Moses presided over would have burned him out, if it had not been for the wise counsel of his father-in-law - "And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, what is this thing that you do to the people? why sit yourself alone, and all the people stand by you from morning unto evening? And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God. And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that you do is not good" (Exodus 18:14-17).

Burning the candle to work longer hours is an unhealthy way to live. Sleep is essential to your health. It allows the mind and body to heal and recharge after dealing with the stress and pressures of work, or a busy day.

Do what you can do, and don't go beyond the limits of what you can do. Get plenty of rest, nourish your body and do not over-extend your schedule. Know that when your body says "it is enough." What could not be done today will not stop the world from moving. It can be continued on tomorrow, if the Lord will - "For that you ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that" (James 4:15).

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"And he said unto them, Come you yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately" (Mark 6:31-32) **************************************************************************** Copyright © 2002-2015 Gale Wilcox/A New Day Ministries
"Reaching Hearts, Teaching Minds and Transforming Lives through the
Gospel of Jesus Christ, for the Glory of God, and for the Edification of His People"