The term "burned-out" is not explicitly found in the Bible; however, the concept of physical, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion is addressed throughout Scripture. Burnout can be understood as a state of chronic stress leading to physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism, detachment, and feelings of ineffectiveness. This condition can affect anyone, including those in ministry, as they strive to fulfill their God-given responsibilities.

Biblical Examples and Principles

1. Elijah's Exhaustion: One of the most vivid examples of burnout in the Bible is the prophet Elijah. After his victory over the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Elijah fled from Queen Jezebel's threats and became overwhelmed with fear and exhaustion. In 1 Kings 19:4, Elijah, in his despair, prayed, "I have had enough, LORD. Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers." God responded by providing Elijah with rest, nourishment, and a renewed sense of purpose (1 Kings 19:5-8).

2. Moses' Overburden: Moses experienced a form of burnout as he led the Israelites through the wilderness. The burden of leadership and the constant complaints of the people weighed heavily on him. In Numbers 11:14-15, Moses expressed his distress to God, saying, "I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how You are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me—if I have found favor in Your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin." God provided Moses with assistance by appointing seventy elders to share the burden of leadership (Numbers 11:16-17).

3. Jesus' Model of Rest: Jesus Himself demonstrated the importance of rest and solitude. Despite His demanding ministry, Jesus often withdrew to solitary places to pray and recharge (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16). He also invited His disciples to rest, saying, "Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest" (Mark 6:31).

Spiritual and Practical Remedies

1. Sabbath Rest: The principle of Sabbath rest is a divine provision for preventing burnout. God instituted the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship, emphasizing the need for regular physical and spiritual renewal (Exodus 20:8-11). Observing a day of rest allows believers to refocus on God and rejuvenate their bodies and spirits.

2. Casting Burdens on the Lord: Scripture encourages believers to cast their burdens on the Lord, trusting in His care and provision. Psalm 55:22 states, "Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken." This act of surrender helps alleviate the weight of stress and anxiety.

3. Community Support: The Bible underscores the importance of community and mutual support. Galatians 6:2 instructs believers to "carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Engaging in a supportive community can provide encouragement and practical help during times of burnout.

4. Renewal through the Holy Spirit: Spiritual renewal is essential for overcoming burnout. Isaiah 40:31 promises, "But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint." Seeking the Holy Spirit's empowerment and guidance can lead to renewed strength and purpose.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not use the term "burned-out," it offers timeless wisdom and examples for addressing the challenges of exhaustion and stress. By following biblical principles of rest, reliance on God, community support, and spiritual renewal, believers can find hope and restoration in the midst of life's demands.

The Gospel According to --You.
... Always burning, he was yet never consumed; only the alloy burned up and burned
out, himself refined to the quality of life called eternal. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the gospel according toyou.htm

The Little Match Girl
... and lovely. "Grandmother!" cried the child, "O! take me with you! I know
you will go when the match is burned out. You will vanish ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the little match girl.htm

Sowing Ourselves in Life's Soil.
... His native winning power comes out fully only as sin is taken out of him, washed
out, and burned out; the desire for it removed, and the hurt of sin upon his ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/sowing ourselves in lifes soil.htm

God's Strange Work
... To him they seemed the most luminous illustrations he could find of the principle
which he is proclaiming, and to us all the light is burned out of them. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/gods strange work.htm

The Consuming Fire.
... immortality. The destructible must be burned out of it, or begin to be
burned out of it, before it can partake of eternal life. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the consuming fire.htm

The Christian's Warfare.
... or as Job puts it, "with the skin of my teeth." I believe that a great many men
will barely get to heaven as Lot got out of Sodom, burned out, nothing left ...
/.../moody/the overcoming life/part i the christians warfare.htm

A vision of Judgement and Cleansing
... in pointing to these transgressions; but God does not say, 'I will put back the
half-burned brand in the fire again, since the evil is not burned out of it ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a vision of judgement and.htm

Out of the Deep of Doubt, Darkness, and Hell.
... Happy are they who have writhed awhile in the fierce fire of God, and have had burned
out of them the chaff, and the dross, and all which offends and makes ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/out of the deep/v out of the deep.htm

Moody Puts a Man in his "Prophet's Room. "
... When I was burned out in the great fire and was left perfectly destitute, I received
a letter with some money from this young man in Boston, who said: ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/moody puts a man in.htm

April 5. "Many Shall be Purified and Made White and Tried" (Dan. ...
... It is to be made white, lustrous, or bright. To be purified is to have the sin burned
out; to be made white is to have the glory of the Lord burned in. ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /april 5 many shall be.htm

Burned-out (1 Occurrence)
Burned-out. Burned, Burned-out. Burner . Multi-Version Concordance
Burned-out (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 51:25 Lo, I 'am ...
/b/burned-out.htm - 6k

Out (29154 Occurrences)
... continuance, or supply; to the end; completely; hence, in, or into, a condition
of extinction, exhaustion, completion; as, the fuel, or the fire, has burnedout...
/o/out.htm - 9k

Oven (22 Occurrences)
... copper, which were heated inside with wood (1 Kings 17:12; Isaiah 44:15; Jeremiah
7:18) or grass (Matthew 6:30), and when the fire had burnedout, small pieces ...
/o/oven.htm - 15k

Burner (1 Occurrence)

/b/burner.htm - 7k

Burned (587 Occurrences)

/b/burned.htm - 37k

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