Why are leaders often in danger of burning out?

Exodus 20:11“In six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.”

1 Kings 19:5-6Then he [Elijah] lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.

Mark 2:27Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.”

Mark 6:31Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

When a project, ministry, or vision takes off, leaders can easily become swept up in the whirl of events and progress. Adrenaline, however, can sustain us only so long. Many giants of the faith have learned that they need to take time for sleep, rest, and food to serve God well. This is not a sign of weakness—it is a natural, healthy aspect of how God created us. This is why God gave the Sabbath. He wanted to build in this discipline of rest.

Luke 5:16Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

A dry well offers no refreshment. Leaders who neglect their spiritual health may work hard, but the return for that effort will dwindle as they grow more distant from God. Jesus had a brief window for ministry on earth and thousands of people clamored for his attention, but he still took time to be alone with his Father in prayer.

Exodus 18:17-18“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.”

1 Corinthians 4:17That’s why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go.

Philippians 2:19If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along.

Leaders who try to do everything soon overwhelm themselves and disappoint others. When Paul’s busy ministry hindered him from visiting churches he had planted, he sent a trusted subordinate—Timothy—to check in on them, minister to them, and report back.

2 Corinthians 4:7We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

Leaders are human. They get tired, frustrated, discouraged, and confused. They also fail and sin time and time again. Yet by God’s grace, our humanity does not disqualify us from serving God. In fact, it becomes the means for God to reveal his power and mercy through us.