Spiritual Burnout – Signs and What Men Can Do About It

So let me get real with you about spiritual burnout. That’s where you don’t feel like picking up the Bible. Sermons are ok but not knocking your socks off like they once did. You feel lethargic toward spiritual things – even (and especially) ministry. You’re serving but have lost your joy.

When this happens, here are some things you might consider doing about it.

First, mark this period down, as a season. Like football, deer hunting, or tax season. A temporary time. And like those seasons, what you’re experiencing is common, comes up regularly on men.

Second, be sure it’s not a place where you aim to stay.

And you don’t need to lay-in corn. There are easier ways to clear your head, feel like you did something positive. Start with a walk.

When I’m feeling bacon-crisped, spiritually, I tend to pressure myself into getting back into heavy-duty Bible study. But even your workout coach won’t let you overdo it when you’re just getting back into it.

In fact, pick up a paraphrase of the Bible to wade in. And before anyone lights it up on this point, I’ll note that we shouldn’t make it our practice to stay in a paraphrase of the Scriptures. But my goal here is to help us get back into the Word – and this might be a good first-step toward full, re-engagement.

A man who’s burnt out in his service to the Lord, won’t stay content with the paraphrase, anyway. Once his appetite is re-whetted, he’ll long for the solid translation to read – and study – if this was his previous custom.

Pitch in here. What would you add? Or, what’s a mode of getting unstuck during spiritual burnout, that you’ve used or observed?

Sean Allen Equipping Pastor for Men’s and Recovery Ministries

Originally published at warren.church.