One Breath Away from Burnout - An Unfulfilled Spirit (Part Deux)

One Breath Away from Burnout - An Unfulfilled Spirit (Part Deux)

AFTER MY FIRST business failed, my life—and my faith—eventually returned to normal. I continued to have a love affair with Christ while being totally baffled by how he works (or sometimes doesn’t). I still wondered what exactly had happened. I was not sure why he hadn’t come to my rescue when I was so sure he would. I wouldn’t be clear about my role in our relationship for nearly twenty years.

My “aha!” moment came early one morning in 2003. I was at a very good place in my life—my marketing company was thriving, my family was happy, our marriage was humming, and Steve and I were preparing to move to a beautiful new home. On a whim, I had purchased a book I saw on an endcap display at the airport just days before. The title had grabbed my attention; it looked like a must-read.

As I read the opening page of Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life early that morning, I could hardly breathe: “It’s not about you,” Warren wrote.

Hmmm . . . are you sure it’s not all about me? Because I really think it should be.

It took a while for this concept to sink in, but once it did—it changed my approach and recharged my faith. Today, rather than repeatedly asking God, “Why haven’t you? Why can’t you? When will you?” I humbly place my desire at his feet, thanking him in advance for his favor. Laying a quiet, tender request before the Lord with a heart of gratitude is a marked contrast to running out of faith because he hasn’t granted my every wish according to my Day-Timer.

Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. (James 5:13)

If your spirit is drained and you’re one breath away from spiritual burnout, consider a change in your prayer life from “I need you to . . .” to “I praise you for . . .” Your circumstances may not change immediately, but your heart will.