Another type of burnout is ‘compassion fatigue’; if you feel the strong call to help others, you’re likely to be vulnerable to this type of burnout. Symptoms include believing that you’re not good enough any more, treating yourself and others with detachment, withdrawing from your responsibilities, avoiding contact with other people, and feeling like problems are beating you. One counsellor says driven people often ‘suffer from an “adrenaline addiction” and unconsciously look for ways to get little surges, similar to the high people get from alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine, except they get their highs from controlling people and making complex decisions…Spiritual causes of stress include sexual temptation, anger, and despair, jealousy of other people’s success, and anxiety about finances. Pastors are often placed on pedestals…and these expectations can’t be met. So in an effort to please, they become too goal-oriented for their people…or too accommodating of their spiritual slackness…they become perfectionists…overdeveloping one side of their ministry or identifying so closely with their calling that it falls apart. Your body gives you warning signals; insomnia, digestive problems, headaches, fatigue, muscle tension, teeth grinding, and high blood pressure. Sadly, it seldom slows the victim down.’ Paul wrote: ‘I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who gave me strength, because he trusted me and gave me this work of serving him.’ Whatever your ministry is, whether it’s big or small, part of a church or something you try to incorporate into your everyday life, Jesus is interested. When you’re feeling weak, He’s strong. When you’re unsure, He knows the way. So make sure to keep Him involved in every step, and let His strength carry you through.’
