Christian Burnout

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=100 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04000640egdysm.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000066" FACE="Arial" ><B>Church of God, In Truth</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B>    |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church of God, In Truth"><B>home</B></A></div> <div> back to<B>  </B><A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Edification Articles"><B>Edification Articles</B></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#0000BF" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <A HREF="man_made_traditions.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Man Made Traditions">Man Made Traditions</A></div> <div> <A HREF="safety_in_numbers.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Safety In Numbers?">Safety In Numbers?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="will_everyone_be_saved.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Will Everyone be Saved?">Will Everyone be Saved?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="am_i_a_good_stewart.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Am I A Good Stewart?">Am I A Good Stewart?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="_leviathan_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="LEVIATHAN">LEVIATHAN</A></div> <div> <A HREF="kind_after_its_kind.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Kind after its Kind!">Kind after its Kind!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="rebellion.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Rebellion">Rebellion</A></div> <div> <A HREF="wave_sheaf.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Wave Sheaf">Wave Sheaf</A></div> <div> <A HREF="pentecost___a_glorious_visio.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pentecost A Glorious Vision of Hope">Pentecost - A Glorious Vision of Hope</A></div> <div> <A HREF="what_is_a_generation.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is a Generation?">What is a Generation?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="prophecy_and_mysteries.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Prophecy and Mysteries">Prophecy and Mysteries</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_almost_forgotten_feasts_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Almost Forgotten Feasts of God">The Almost Forgotten Feasts of God</A></div> <div> <A HREF="power_to_transform.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Power to Transform">Power to Transform</A></div> <div> <A HREF="does_everyone_understand.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Does Everyone Understand">Does Everyone Understand</A></div> <div> <A HREF="five_steps_to_salvation.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Five Steps to Salvation">Five Steps to Salvation</A></div> <div> <A HREF="who_does_the_fig_tree_repres.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who Does the Fig Tree Represent">Who Does the Fig Tree Represent</A></div> <div> <A HREF="inherit_responsibility.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Inherit Responsibility">Inherit Responsibility</A></div> <div> <A HREF="letter_to_newly_baptized_mem.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Letter to Newly baptized members">Letter to Newly baptized members</A></div> <div> <A HREF="get_wisdom___get_understandi.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Get WisdomGet Understanding!">Get Wisdom---Get Understanding!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="learn_to_obey.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Learn to Obey">Learn to Obey</A></div> <div> <A HREF="a_voice_message.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Voice Message">A Voice Message</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_anger_of_god.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Anger of God">The Anger of God</A></div> <div> <A HREF="earth_our_inheritance.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Earth Our Inheritance">Earth Our Inheritance</A></div> <div> <A HREF="salt.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Salt">Salt</A></div> <div> <A HREF="prepare_ye_the_way_of_the_lo.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Prepare ye the way of the Lord">Prepare ye the way of the Lord</A></div> <div> <A HREF="learn_to_be_humble.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Learn to be Humble">Learn to be Humble</A></div> <div> <A HREF="fishers_hunters_watchmen.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fishers, Hunters, Watchmen">Fishers, Hunters, Watchmen</A></div> <div> <A HREF="inexcusable_excuses.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Inexcusable Excuses">Inexcusable Excuses</A></div> <div> <A HREF="it_did_not_happen_that_way.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="It Did Not Happen That Way">It Did Not Happen That Way</A></div> <div> <A HREF="ultimate_supreme_sacrifice.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ultimate Supreme Sacrifice">Ultimate Supreme Sacrifice</A></div> <div> <A HREF="living_stones.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Living Stones">Living Stones</A></div> <div> <A HREF="word_study.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Word Study">Word Study</A></div> <div> <A HREF="are_you_a_castaway.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Are you a Castaway?">Are you a Castaway?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="a_brief_lesson_in_nutrition.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Brief Lesson in Nutrition">A Brief Lesson in Nutrition</A></div> <div> <A HREF="born_to_rule.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Born to Rule">Born to Rule</A></div> <div> <A HREF="while_men_slept.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="While Men Slept">While Men Slept</A></div> <div> <A HREF="do_people_have_an_inmortal_s.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Do people have an inmortal soul?">Do people have an inmortal soul?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="blue_laws.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Blue Laws">Blue Laws</A></div> <div> <A HREF="believing_a_lie.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Believing a Lie">Believing a Lie</A></div> <div> <A HREF="what_a_powerful_statement.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What a Powerful Statement">What a Powerful Statement</A></div> <div> <A HREF="cheating_christ_and_god_out_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cheating Christ">Cheating Christ</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="modern_day_israel.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Modern day Israel">Modern day Israel</A></div> <div> <A HREF="am_i_going_to_heaven.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Am I going to Heaven?">Am I going to Heaven?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="why_does_the_earth_have_a_mo.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Why does the Earth have a Moon?">Why does the Earth have a Moon?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="connecting_the_dots.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Connecting the Dots!">Connecting the Dots!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="yielding.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Yielding">Yielding</A></div> <div> <A HREF="marriage_and_wedding_supper_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Marriage and Wedding supper of the Lamb">Marriage and Wedding supper of the Lamb</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_great_controversy.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Great Controversy">The Great Controversy</A></div> <div> <A HREF="last_days_events.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Last Days Events">Last Days Events</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="worlds_way_or_mans_way.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Worlds Way or Mans Way">World's Way or Man's Way</A></div> <div> <A HREF="freemasonrythe_invisible_emp.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Freemasonry...the Invisible Empire">Freemasonry...the Invisible Empire</A></div> <div> <A HREF="who_is_on_authority.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who is on Authority?">Who is on Authority?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="first_fruits_of_barley.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="First Fruits of Barley">First Fruits of Barley</A></div> <div> <A HREF="timeless_truth.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Timeless Truth">Timeless Truth</A></div> <div> <A HREF="how_do_sheep_differ_from_goa.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How Do Sheep Differ From Goats?">How Do Sheep Differ From Goats?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="deceived.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Deceived">Deceived</A></div> <div> <A HREF="do_business_till_i_come.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Do Business till I come!">Do Business till I come!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="new_beginning.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="New Beginning">New Beginning</A></div> <div> <A HREF="ultimate_liberty.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ultimate Liberty">Ultimate Liberty</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="the_cave_of_adullam.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Cave of Adullam">The Cave of Adullam</A></div> <div> <A HREF="what_do_you_think_impresses_.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What do you think impresses God the most">What do you think impresses God the most?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="what_is_truth.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is Truth?">What is Truth?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="life_in_kenya.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Life in Kenya">Life in Kenya</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_assurance_of_salvation_t.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The assurance of salvation through faith">The assurance of salvation through faith</A></div> <div> <A HREF="person_of_interest.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Person of interest">Person of interest</A></div> <div> <A HREF="what_christians_need_to_know.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What Christians Need To Know About Islam">What Christians Need To Know About Islam!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="you_reap_what_you_sow.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="You reap what you sow">You reap what you sow</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="be_still___.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Be still . . .">Be still . . .</A></div> <div> <A HREF="how_short_is_life.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How short is life?">How short is life?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="sharing_gods_word.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sharing Gods Word">Sharing God's Word</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="nimrod_resurrected.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Nimrod Resurrected">Nimrod Resurrected</A></div> <div> <A HREF="have_you_wondered_why.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Have you wondered why?">Have you wondered why?</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="the_readers_corner_mayjune_2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Readers Corner: May/June 2009">The Reader's Corner: May/June 2009</A></div> <div> <A HREF="declaring_the_end_from_the_b.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Declaring the end from the beginning">Declaring the end from the beginning</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_renewing_of_our_mind.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Renewing of our mind">The Renewing of our mind</A></div> <div> <A HREF="sacrificed_for_our_sins.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sacrificed for Our Sins">Sacrificed for Our Sins</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_readerss_corner_marchapr.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Readerss Corner: March/April">The Readers's Corner: March/April</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_redeeming_blood.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Redeeming Blood">The Redeeming Blood</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="tempted_in_all_points.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tempted in all points">Tempted in all points</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="passover_attitude.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Passover Attitude">Passover Attitude</A></div> <div> <A HREF="readers_corner_whats_is_in_a.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Readers Corner: Whats is in a name like ">Readers Corner: What's is in a name like Israel</A></div> <div> <A HREF="life_comes_from.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Life comes from?">Life comes from?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="commitment.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Commitment">Commitment</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_purpose_of_the_bible.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Purpose of the Bible">The Purpose of the Bible</A></div> <div> <A HREF="doing_the_will_of_god.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Doing the Will of God">Doing the Will of God</A></div> <div> <A HREF="spiritual_encouragement.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Spiritual Encouragement">Spiritual Encouragement</A></div> <div> <A HREF="faith_and_patience.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Faith and Patience">Faith and Patience</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_gifts_of_the_maji_and_ou.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Gifts of the Maji and our Destiny">The Gifts of the Maji and our Destiny</A></div> <div> <A HREF="solomons_wisdom.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Balanced Outlook on Live!">A Balanced Outlook on Live!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="what_is_truth1ce.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What is Truth?">What is Truth?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="satans_snare.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Satans Snares">Satan's Snares</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="are_you_ready_for_the_return.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Are you ready for the return of Christ?">Are you ready for the return of Christ?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="readers_corner___september_2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Readers Corner September 2008">Readers Corner - September 2008</A></div> <div> <A HREF="the_ultimate_plan.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Ultimate Plan">The Ultimate Plan</A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="called_to_be_a_kingdom_of_pr.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Called to be a Kingdom of Priests">Called to be a Kingdom of Priests</A></div> <div> <A HREF="readers_corner_july_20008.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Readers Corner July 20008">Readers Corner July 20008</A></div> <div> <A HREF="knowing_god.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Knowing God">Knowing God</A></div> <div> <A HREF="living_without_gods_word.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Living without Gods Word">Living without God's Word</A></div> <div> <A HREF="trauma_in_america.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Trauma in America">Trauma in America</A></div> <div> <A HREF="proverbs_31_wife___an_exampl.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Proverbs 31 Wife An Example for the Chu">Proverbs 31 Wife - An Example for the Church of God!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="cremation.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cremation">Cremation</A></div> <div> <A HREF="change.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Change">Change</A></div> <div> <A HREF="only_one_mark_of_the_beast.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Only One, Mark of the Beast?">Only One, Mark of the Beast?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="how_should_pentecost_be_coun.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How should Pentecost be counted?">How should Pentecost be counted?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="gods_planned_parameters.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods Planned Parameters">God's Planned Parameters</A></div> <div> <A HREF="human_nature.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Human Nature">Human Nature</A></div> <div> <B>Christian Burnout</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id433.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What I am living for">What I am living for</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id432.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jesus Christ The Passover The Wavesheaf">Jesus Christ; The Passover -- The Wavesheaf -- The Firstfruit!!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id431.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Beyond the veil">Beyond the veil</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id429.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="All Because of Us">All Because of Us</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id428.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="As Little Children">As Little Children</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id427.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Something to think about">Something to think about</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id423.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="OBSERVE GODS FEAST FOREVER">OBSERVE GOD'S FEAST FOREVER</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id420.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Human nature">Human nature</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id419.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Thanksgiving, blessings of gratitude">Thanksgiving, blessings of gratitude</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id418.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who has the authority?">Who has the authority?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id415.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods will">God's will</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id414.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Really good news!">Really good news!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id413.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="It wont be long now!">It won't be long now!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id412.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jerusalem Our City of the Future">Jerusalem - Our City of the Future</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id411.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Listen to God">Listen to God</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id407.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Identifying the Holy Spirit">Identifying the Holy Spirit</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id406.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The book that hold the desteny of men!">The book that hold the desteny of men!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id405.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="From Which Will You Be Chosen?">From Which Will You Be Chosen?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id403.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Always be Ready!">Always be Ready!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id401.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Without vision">Without vision</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id400.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Yielding fruit after its kind!">Yielding fruit after its kind!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id397.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Two groups of Jews">Two groups of Jews</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id396.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods Almost Forgotten Day ">God's Almost Forgotten Day </A></div> <div> <A HREF="id395.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The New Moon, The Passover and Our Calli">The New Moon, The Passover and Our Calling</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id394.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Keep the Right Day for Passover">Keep the Right Day for Passover</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id393.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Pain of Change">The Pain of Change</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id392.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Man Who crucified Christ!">The Man Who crucified Christ!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id390.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Two Churches of Revelation 12">Two Churches of Revelation 12</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id389.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Heart Knower">The Heart - Knower</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id388.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="All things work together for good!">All things work together for good!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id387.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Understand Gods Healing Plan">Understand God's Healing Plan</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id386.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Feed Gods Household">Feed God's Household</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id382.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Religion could not save us">Religion could not save us</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id381.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Know Thyself">Know Thyself</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id380.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fear Factor">Fear Factor</A></div> <div> <A HREF="accountability2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ACCOUNTABILITY2">ACCOUNTABILITY2</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id374.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Why they will fight">Why they will fight</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id373.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Most High rules in the Kingdom of Ma">The Most High rules in the Kingdom of Man</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id372.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sharing Gods Word">Sharing God's Word</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id371.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="More reasons to rejoice at the Feast!">More reasons to rejoice at the Feast!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id370.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Why do We attend the Feast of Tabernacle">Why do We attend the Feast of Tabernacles</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id366.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Living in a world without the Bible ">Living in a world without the Bible </A></div> <div> <A HREF="id365.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="When all else failsPress On">When all else fails-Press On</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id364.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Come out of Babylon and be not partakers">Come out of Babylon and be not partakers of her sin</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id363.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="All other ground is sinking sand">All other ground is sinking sand</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id362.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Riddle of Leviathan?">Riddle of Leviathan?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id360.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Christs Message In The Parable Of Lazaru">Christ's Message In The Parable Of Lazarus And The Rich Man</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id359.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Keep Gods Sabbath Holy">Keep God's Sabbath Holy</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id358.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jesus Christ, The PassoverThe WavesheafT">Jesus Christ, The Passover---The Wavesheaf--The Firstfruit</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id357.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Wave sheaf">Wave sheaf</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id356.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Let no man take your crown">Let no man take your crown</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id355.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gods three appointed harvests">God's three appointed harvests</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id343.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Modern day Israel">Modern day Israel</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id339.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Planting of America">The Planting of America</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id342.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Where is God?">Where is God?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id344.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The power of words">The power of words</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id340.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Promises of the fifth commandment">Promises of the fifth commandment</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id341.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Out of Egypt I called my son">Out of Egypt I called my son</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id345.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=". . . and my People love to have it so!">. . . and my People love to have it so!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id347.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Betrayal of Christ">The Betrayal of Christ</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id348.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Purpose of Gods Law!">Purpose of God's Law!</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id349.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The evils of sin">The evils of sin</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id350.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="He who overcomes">He who overcomes</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id351.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sharing Gods word">Sharing God's word</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id352.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Out of Egypt I called my son">Out of Egypt I called my son</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id318.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="GODS HOLY DAY OFFERINGS">GOD'S HOLY DAY OFFERINGS</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id320.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Time to count">Time to count</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id323.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Trumpet of God">Trumpet of God</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id324.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="To forgive is divine">To forgive is divine</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id325.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Overcoming bad habits">Overcoming bad habits</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id328.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Little Fock">Little Fock</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id329.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Government in Gods Church">Government in God's Church</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id330.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="HWA Radio Transcript 1979">HWA Radio Transcript 1979</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id333.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Is God speaking to us?">Is God speaking to us?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id334.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Do you believe God?">Do you believe God?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id335.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Warnings and Exhortation">Warnings and Exhortation</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id336.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Righteous Judgment">Righteous Judgment</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id337.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The physical and spiritual blessings of ">The physical and spiritual blessings of submission</A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=380 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>CHRISTIAN BURNOUT!</B></div> <bR> <div> We've all come home at night - maybe after a hard day at work, or shopping, and reached for the familiar switch.  But instead of the room being bathed in light, there is a flash, a "pop" and then... more darkness.  The light bulb burned out.  And we think, why did that have to happen just now?  It's easy to replace a burned out light bulb, but it's much harder to replace a burnedout Christian - those of us called by God to be a light to this world.  But unfortunately, Christians, like light bulbs, do burn out! </div> <div> "Burnout" is a way of describing a problem common among deeply dedicated and highly motivated people.  It happens when people who have been enthusiastic and committed discover that they just cannot keep going.  Suddenly, maybe unexpectedly, they lose interest in their work and can no longer turn in a good job performance.  Sometimes they even quit completely.  And often, it filters down to their personal life as well.  Burn-out is the special occupational hazard of those in the stressful, "helping" professions: grief counselors, social workers, policemen - especially those dealing with the abuse of children and many nurses, for example.       I've had some experience in this myself: Back in the late 1960's and early 1970's, I was a professional air-traffic controller.  That was a highly stressful job with a high burn-out rate.  In fact, I can hardly recall anyone who actually made it to retirement, without having to take some sort of medical retirement and a great many of them were alcoholics.  Today, I manage a cemetery and arrange funerals - that too can be very stressful and emotionally draining.  As you can imagine, it's usually not the happiest day of someone's life.  The point being, jobs such as these, and others, involve a high degree of sacrifice and commitment.  </div> <div> But of importance to us today; a Christian is also a prime target for burn-out - because the Christian's calling also involves self-sacrifice, commitment and extra effort.  So let's take a closer look at burn-out so that we can understand it, and what is more important, know how to guard against it in our Christian lives. </div> <div> Researchers have tried to find out how to help once dedicated people who have lost the desire to achieve.  They have found that those most susceptible to burnout, are people with jobs that demand prolonged selfsacrifice - perhaps long hours in poor working conditions with inadequate salaries. Such people can keep going for a while - perhaps years - because they work for more than just money. They believe in what they are doing. They share a sense of mission that goes beyond normal commitment to the job.  In fact, I tell people wanting to get into the “death industry,” as it is called, that they need to be in it for something more than the money, because if that's all their after, they won't be around long. </div> <div> The symptoms of burnout vary from person to person. Some just become apathetic, no longer interested in making a creative contribution. They do just what is required of them - nothing more, </div> <div> nothing less.  They find that their inner wells have run dry and they cannot give any more.  </div> <div> Many resign from their jobs, throwing away good reputations, accrued benefits and lifetimes of effort.  In some cases, they are driven to suicide.  They have even been known to turn in hostility on those they were once dedicated to serving and supporting (I'm sure you are familiar with the term “going Postal.”   </div> <div> Perhaps you can recognize some of these symptoms in people you know or even in yourself. These people don't pray as much as they have in the past. They become lax in their Sabbathkeeping, and Bible study.  They lose interest in the Work of God and gradually lose contact with it.  They withdraw from fellowship and no longer make the effort to attend the Feast of Tabernacles.  They usually become very critical and negative.  In short, their hearts are not in it any longer.  Bit by bit, little by little, they begin to leave God's Church. </div> <div> What can be done to prevent burnout?  Studies of the subject suggest there are some professions that should not expect a lifetime commitment.  Perhaps people should only be expected to work at certain jobs for a few years at most, but Christianity is a lifetime commitment!  If God has called you to "endure to the end" - you can't just quit and do something else when the going gets rough.  That course of action plays right into the hands of Satan the adversary, who is dedicated to the failure of God's people.  As the end time closes in and this earth becomes more evil, violent, immoral - darker and darker - those whom Christ has called to be lights must be prepared to burn brighter. </div> <bR> <div> So how do we help ourselves or perhaps others who are burning out?  It is a problem that can strike at any one of us, from the least to the greatest. Our part in God's Work, be it ever so humble, involves a genuine sacrifice of our time, energy and money.  Christ never promised that this would be an easy task.  In fact, many of the Prophets called it a burden.  Before we ever set out to shoulder this burden, Jesus Christ warned us of exactly what we were getting into:  "And whoever does not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first, and counts the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?" (Luke 14:27-28).  Jesus went on to warn us that our own resources would not be adequate for the task.  In vs. 31, He says we, with "ten thousand," would have to go out to meet him that comes against us with "twenty thousand".  Christ leveled with us He was going to ask us to shoulder a burden, or carry a cross, that from time to time would almost become too heavy.  But He also said that if we trust in Him, He wouldn't place anything on us that we were unable to bear.   </div> <div> And of course, the reward for this labor is indeed handsome eternal life, ruling with Christ in the Kingdom of God!  But sometimes this reward seems a little unreal and along way off, doesn't it?  There are times in all of our lives when the vision blurs, and the reward seems unreal or too distant.  When we lose the vision, the present, with its fears and frustrations, then becomes the "real world."  These are the times when we are most in danger of burning out. Because that is the typical human reaction, as scientific research has shown. It is only the most unusual human being who is capable of prolonged sacrifice without a tangible reward.  And most of God's people would not claim to be unusual human beings.  So, given the situation, the calling and the responsibility that we have, it is only human that we should burn out just like anybody else. </div> <div> God knows this. There have been times when some of his greatest and most effective servants got discouraged and felt like giving up.  James 5:17 tells us that Elijah was a man just like us.  He wasn't some kind of “super human.” Right on the heels of one of his most significant achievements, he felt like quitting.  In 1 Kings 18 we can read the story of how Elijah faced the 400 prophets of Baal.  He stood alone before them, challenged and ridiculed them, and then, as a true servant of God, performed a stunning miracle. The false prophets were taken into custody by the people, and Elijah supervised their execution.  It was a day that left its mark on the religion of Israel for many years.  Queen Jezebel was furious at the destruction of her pagan priests, and was determined to kill Elijah.  Elijah had to flee for his life to a barren wilderness.  “And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword.  Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah saying, `So let the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time!'  And when Elijah saw that, he arose and ran for his life” (1 Kings 19:1-3).  Loneliness and weariness began to get the better of him.  He came close to burning out.  Look at vs. 4, “But Elijah went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree.  And he prayed that he might die, and said, `It is enough!  Now LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!'” </div> <div> The prophet Jeremiah served God faithfully in many different ways all through his long life.  But there were moments when Jeremiah's burden became very heavy.  Jeremiah 20 contains the most daring and bitter of Jeremiah's complaints to God: we can quickly glance through vs. 7-10: (NIV), “LORD you deceived me, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed.  I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me...  The word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long... .  I hear many whispering... report him, report him.  All my friends are waiting for me to slip... .”  Jeremiah, in effect is saying, "You deceived me. You made me do this job. Everyone laughs at me. I do your Work, and all I get is persecution. Even my friends are out to get me. But if I say I am quitting, you still make me do your Work."  Pretty strong words coming from a man toward the God of the Universe, but God did not strike Jeremiah down. God knew Jeremiah was only human, and the burden was indeed getting heavy. </div> <div> We are no different; despite warnings to the contrary, like Elijah and Jeremiah, we too become weary in welldoing from time to time and are tempted to slip quietly back into the comfort of the world.  Those who burn out in worldly jobs have the option of starting over with something new and less difficult or stressful.  But Christ has not given us that option.  As far as I can discern from the scriptures, this is our only chance. </div> <bR> <div>        When I first came into God's Church, I read a verse in 1 Cor. 10 often.  I had just lost a promising career as an air traffic controller because of the Sabbath, my wife at the time left with my three kids and divorced me.  It was a rough time.  But God has not left us helpless in tough trials or even burn out.  Notice the verse I am referring to: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able; but with the temptation also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” ( 1Cor. 10:13).  Christ knows what it is like to be tempted.  “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need”  (Heb. 4:5).  </div> <div> Today, Christ has been restored to all power and authority, but He has not forgotten the experiences He underwent as a frail human being.  We were told in the verses we just read, that we have a High Priest who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.  He, as a man, had to cry out to His Father for strength.  He had to avoid a burnout that would have had tragic and cataclysmic consequences both for Himself and all mankind. </div> <div> Christ knows that there is a limit to mere, human strength and will.  He knows we are vulnerable and has shown us how to guard against it.  How?  The answer might be easier than you suspect: By preventive maintenance.  Anyone who owns an automobile knows that it is better and far cheaper to give it routine servicing than to try to repair it after something has gone wrong.  A good mechanic understands the things that can go wrong and knows how to guard against them happening.  He changes the oil in the engine on a regular basis, makes sure there is fluid in the brake system, air in the tires, antifreeze in the radiator, and regularly monitors the other functions of the car to make sure everything is running smoothly.  He heads off problems before they happen! </div> <div> We are not to be ignorant as Christians.  We also should know what can go wrong.  We need to always keep in focus that the Christian calling was not promised to be a bed of roses.  In Luke 13:24, we are told to “strive to enter in at the strait gate;” 1 Tim. 6:12 tells us to “fight the good fight of faith,” and Heb. 4:11, to labor “to enter into that rest.”   Striving, fighting and laboring are strenuous activities.  If we are to “overcome to the end” and “finish the race,” we must take care of ourselves, as we would a car that we expect to work well into the future. </div> <div> So what kind of preventive maintenance do we as Christians need?  The Bible is clear: regular contact with God through Bible study and prayer and we also need to add, regular contact with like believers within God's Church. </div> <div> After He had returned to heaven, Jesus Christ would not allow His first apostles to even begin their work until He sent them the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost.  He knew that, humanly speaking, they were inadequate.  They knew that too.  In fact, they cowered in that upper room, not knowing how, where or what to begin.  But once the Holy Spirit came ...well, you know what took place.  </div> <div> It is the same today.  Apart from God, we of ourselves, are not adequate for our part in God's Work.  God sometimes places a great load on us, sometimes to the point that we will stagger.                                                                </div> <div> We are much like weight lifters.  However strong a weight lifter, may be, there comes a point when he simply cannot lift any more.  If he is to carry the extra load, he must get help.  Knowing that we would need that help, Christ sent us the Holy Spirit the same power His Father sent Him when He was on earth doing God's Work.  With the Holy Spirit, the apostles were able to fulfill their commission.  And armed with the same Spirit, we can finish our jobs too. </div> <div> And brethren, the good news is: the Spirit of God never burns out!  But be warned, it can be quenched by neglect.  And when the Spirit is quenched, remember that it is only a matter of time before we burn out.  Now don't put words in my mouth, that I am saying the Holy Spirit is analogous to oil, I am only stating it this way to make a point: When we quench the Holy Spirit, think of it like what happens to your car engine if you neglect to maintain its oil pressure.  The engine may continue to run for a while, but without oil, it quickly burns out! </div> <bR> <div> Paul told Timothy, a young man heavily committed to the Work of God, to “...stir up the gift of God [the Holy Spirit], which is in you by the putting on of my hands” (2 Tim. 1:6).   A couple of pages over in Titus 3:8, Paul told another young minister to remind the congregation to “...be careful to maintain good works.”   Paul knew that God gives His Spirit only to those who worship and obey Him (Acts 5:32). </div> <div> So how do we, as Christians, perform the essential spiritual preventive maintenance?  The answer should be obvious:  by keeping close to God through prayer, Bible study, meditation and yes, occasional fasting.  God's Spirit will then flow through us like engine oil preventing the wear and tear that leads to spiritual burnout.  When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our lives, it will give us proper spiritual discernment to choose the right things instead of the wrong and to live our lives in a manner pleasing to God. </div> <div> We can learn from the apostle Paul: He carried one of the heaviest burdens that God has asked of any man.  He knew only too well, that even if he was humanly brilliant, energetic, zealous and dedicated (which he was), he could not make it by himself.  Unless he had the same power driving him that Christ had - God's Holy Spirit, he would burn out, crash and burn and Satan would gloat over the mess.  Paul meant it when he told the Galatians, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God” (Gal. 2:20). </div> <div> There is one other way we can guard against burnout.  Researchers found that burnout is not inevitable.  Some people in the helping professions I mentioned at the beginning of the article, keep on going year after year - producing.  And they maintain a healthy attitude toward their work and toward those they serve.  How do they cope?  The researchers found that one thing these people had in common was the ability to share their feelings of weakness and frustration with others who understand.  They support one another. </div> <div> Christ knew that His followers would need this kind of relationship and support and He made special provision for those who might find themselves lonely in the Church: And this is critically important for those of us in the Church who can't meet week to week with others - who are virtually scattered all over the face of the earth.  “There is no man that has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and the gospel's, who shall not receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; ...and in the world to come eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30).  Perhaps those in danger of spiritually burning out need to reassess the value of these spiritual relatives. </div> <div> The prophet Malachi foresaw a time when some members of the Church, tired of waiting for their reward, would say: “It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered” (Mal. 3:14-15). </div> <div> But in vs. 16, Malachi also saw another group “...that feared the Lord [and] spake often one to another,” and thus kept the vision, kept the faith and ...kept going. </div> <div> God has placed each of us within the Body of Christ, the Church, as it pleased Him (1 Cor. 12:18), so there is no such thing as a useless member of the Church one who can afford to let himself or herself burn out and not be missed.  God doesn't call people He doesn't want.  The Body of Christ needs every part to work effectively together - knit together in love.  If you've ever seen a piece of knitting, you would notice how no stitch can exist by itself.  Its existence depends on its connections to still more stitches, and so on until the whole garment is knit together with thousands of interconnecting stitches, each giving to and gaining support from the others.  Members of the Body of Christ are to be the same.  We are  to prefer one another's company, to exhort or encourage each other and bear one another's burdens - in other words, help support others, so no one burns out. </div> <div> For someone who has never experienced it, it is hard to describe just how reassuring and encouraging it is to have a close friend who can say, with genuine compassion and understanding - perhaps even empathy, “Yes, I know how you feel, and I care,” and then take the time to help you out of your discouragement.  Not because they have to, but because they want to.  Those friendships are there for the asking, if we let God knit us together.  It may sound overly simplistic, but one of the best defenses we have against burning out is the close friendships we can build with our brothers and sisters in Christ. </div> <div> However, fellowship and friendship are not a substitute for the Holy Spirit and contact with God  - they are a supplement.  Just as the Holy Spirit is a down payment or foretaste of what we shall eventually have, the friendships we can make now with each other can be a foretaste of the close, spiritual, family relationships we will share for all eternity in God's Kingdom. </div> <div> So a Christian is not helpless in the face of burnout.  God has called us to live forever.  Why, then, should we self destruct before our eternal life has even begun?  Our past is forgiven and we are begotten with the Holy Spirit that gives life.  Our life will still have its ups and downs, but it should never again collapse into helpless defeat. </div> <div> Unfortunately though, the Scriptures show that some of us will continue to burn out quietly, unexpectedly - giving up to become as useless and disappointing as a burnedout light bulb.  </div> <div> The end time is closing in, the world is teetering on the brink of the great tribulation. Jesus Christ is preparing for His return.  So brethren, please, let us not hear God say about us, as we might a burned out light bulb, “Why did that have to happen just now?” Keep your light burning!</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Pete Fleming</div> </td> </tr></table></body>