10 Bible Verses for Burnout (Including Practical Ways to Recover)
Most of us will face burnout. When this happens, God’s Word can help us find refreshment. Today, we’ll explore 10 Bible verses for burnout and explore practical ways to apply these truths to our lives.
I invite you to join me as I sit in the forest and reflect on the state of my soul. Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you find rest in God’s presence.
10 Bible Verses for Burnout
August stretches her long arms toward autumn, and it’s hard to believe these barefoot days will soon be over.
Summer is a full season for our family. I often feel stretched too thin by summer’s end. I think of this as I sit by bubbling water and consider how to recover from burnout.
Perhaps you can relate.
Maybe the job that once brought a sense of purpose is no longer fulfilling.
Maybe the calling from which you can’t temporarily excuse yourself has started to feel like a prison.
Or maybe the ministry you’ve poured your life into has started to drain you.
When these times come, God’s Word offers consolation. Let’s look at 10 Bible verses for burnout. Then, we’ll apply these verses to our lives.
Bible Verses for Burnout and Exhaustion
1. Matthew 11:28
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
2. Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
3. Isaiah 40:28-30
Have you not heard? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
4. Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
5. Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
6. Psalm 61:2
From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
7. Jeremiah 31:25
I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.
8. Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.
9. 2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
10. Philippians 4:13
I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
Let’s Apply These Bible Verses for Burnout to Our Lives:
How do we recover from burnout when we can’t just opt out of our lives? Here are just a few suggestions . . .
1. Draw near to Jesus in rest and play.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus invites us to draw near to him for rest.
When was the last time you connected with Jesus through restful play?
I encourage you to plan a weekend trip or two hours on a Saturday doing something you absolutely love. Go hiking in the mountains. Visit your favorite coffee shop with a good book. Pull out your skis, bike, or scrapbooking supplies.
Set aside time to do what you love while resting in God’s presence. This simple reprieve can make an enormous difference in your life and help you recover from burnout.
2. Take ten-minute pauses throughout your days.
Throughout your days, look for short periods that might offer a reprieve.
Force yourself to take a lunch break or take a walk in the park before rushing home.
Spend ten minutes doing something you love at the end of each day. Walk, paint, read a novel, play with the dog in the backyard, or take a bath.
Your body needs these breaks. Your mind needs these breaks. Use this time to unwind, talk to God, and decompress.
I take several short breaks every day. First, I take a break to eat lunch. I don’t multitask by trying to work through this time. Instead, I sit quietly and enjoy my meal.
I also take a break before transitioning into late-afternoon writing time. After pushing hard all day, I pause for ten minutes to rest and recenter myself as I prepare to enter into writing. Some days, I take a ten-minute power nap. Other days, I drink coffee, listen to music, or silently watch birds at our bird feeder.
Whenever possible, I take a break in the evening, too. I might sit in a quiet part of the house and read a magazine or sit on the deck and watch the sunset. These moments are always restorative.
3. Find time to move throughout your days.
The endorphins released through even low-intensity exercise are a natural stress reliever and lead to better overall health. Even a 10-minute walk is enough to take the edge off. Take a break from your work and walk around the block, the building, or the office.
Talk to God while you walk.
Breathe deeply.
Practice being mindful of the sights, sounds, and smells surrounding you.
Remind yourself that God is present. Ask him to help you become more attuned to his presence.
4. Resist the urge to define yourself by how well you perform.
One of the most powerful statements that carried me through my seven years as a high school special education teacher came from my father, who spent his career in the same occupation.
I was feeling worn down and discouraged after a difficult season when my dad said, “Stacey, remember that it’s just a job.” This statement set me free to give my best effort at work but release the outcomes into God’s hands. Some days went well. Others were terrible. But at the end of all the days, it was just a job. It didn’t define me.
Do your very best, but remember that your performance does not define you.
Do your very best, but remember that your performance does not define you. #identity #motivation #ChristianQuotes Share on X5. Connect with people who will encourage you.
Spending time with encouraging people is also important when we feel burned out.
Plan a girls’ night out. Go for a hike with friends. Go on a date with another couple. Time spent with others is restorative. Surround yourself with positive people, and these people will remind you of your purpose and help lift your head.
6. Connect with God every day.
God wants to be your source of strength and refreshment.
Prioritize spending time with him daily, and he will meet with you.
Join me right here for fresh ideas to help you connect with God.
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As for me, I’m soaking in these truths today. I’m making time for rest, play, and friendship. I’m not where I want to be, but I’m getting closer.
Calling All Parents (and Grandparents)!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
A Free Devotional to Help You Find Hope in the Lord
I invite you to create space for God to transform your life by downloading a free copy of my devotional eBook, The Lean Into Grace Devotional: An 8-Day Devotional for Healing, Deliverance, and Replenishment. Find it for free here. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here!
