Why do Christian leaders burn out and burned-out people turn to leisure? Performance Studies doctor, Jane McGonigal, says “because we are fully in control of whether we accept a game’s challenge, we don’t experience anxiety or depression when we play—despite the very real possibility of loss or defeat. Our primary experience is of agency, not of threat.” Do games have something biblical to teach us?
1. Opt In: Sometimes burnout happens because we feel forced. Serving the Lord must be a choice (Joshua 24:15; Mark 8:34). Jesus said to count the cost of following Him (Mark 8:34; Luke 14:28). If we own the fact that we signed up for this, we sold all we had for the treasure in the field, then hardships & failures become an expected part of the price for the prize.
2. Level Up: Paul says to keep practicing and growing in Christ (1 Tim 4:15; Phil 3:14). If you can see how an action will get you closer to a goal that is truly meaningful, doctor McGonigal says you are more likely to engage with difficult problems longer, without giving up.
3. Try Again?: Fear of failure and pressure to achieve can cause burnout, and indicate that we are depending on ourselves rather than God (John 16:33; 2 Chron 20:17). We are safe to fail and learn (John 6:37; 1 John 1:9). By His grace we will win this race in the end (Phil 1:6).
4. Bosses & Buffs: Many burnouts are orchestrated by a real enemy (as well as the lies of the world and our own sinful nature), but God provides the Holy Spirit, the Church, and countless resources to help us persevere and overcome (Luke 22:31-32; John 10; Eph 1:3).
Grant Ministry 