Have you ever felt spiritually exhausted? Like you’re doing all the right things—reading your Bible, serving at church, praying—but your soul still feels dry? That’s often the first sign of Christian burnout. You’re not alone. In fact, burnout is one of the most common—and least talked about—struggles among believers today.
And in my experience, the number one reason we burn out is this:
We try to live for God without living with God.
Why We Burn Out Spiritually
It’s so easy to fall into the trap of performance-based faith. We serve, we give, we go to small group, we lead ministries—but we start to do it all in our own strength.
The problem? That’s not how we were meant to live.
Jesus said in John 15:5,
“Apart from me, you can do nothing.”
Not less. Nothing.
When we disconnect from the source—when our activity outpaces our intimacy—we dry up. Even good things can wear us out if we’re doing them without Jesus.
Signs You Might Be Burning Out
Here are a few red flags I’ve seen in my own life and others:
- You feel resentful about things you used to enjoy
- Your time with God feels like a task, not a joy
- You’re constantly tired, emotionally or spiritually
- You’re serving more, but feeling God’s presence less
- You secretly wonder, “What’s the point?”
If any of those resonate, take heart: you’re not a failure. You’re a human who needs refreshment. And Jesus offers that.
How to Recover from Christian Burnout
Jesus doesn’t just call us to work—He calls us to rest with Him.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
(Matthew 11:28)
Rest isn’t laziness. It’s trust. It’s saying, “God, I don’t have to hold everything together. You already do.”
Here are a few ways to realign when you’re running on empty:
- Prioritize presence over productivity. Spend time with God with no agenda.
- Say no to good things so you can say yes to the best. You’re not called to everything.
- Be honest about your limits. Even Jesus withdrew to lonely places to pray.
- Build in regular rhythms of Sabbath. Your soul needs room to breathe.
Christian Burnout Isn’t Fixed by a Schedule—But by Reconnection
Burnout often pushes us to reset our schedule or responsibilities. That’s good. But deeper than that, we need to reconnect with the One who called us.
God never meant for you to carry ministry, parenting, work, or life on your own. His grace is not just for salvation—it’s for every day.
Final Thought
If you’re running dry, hear this:
God doesn’t love a busy Christian more than a rested one.
He wants your heart more than your hustle.
So come back. Slow down.
Let Jesus refresh you—not so you can do more, but so you can be more with Him.