How can we tell the difference between burnout and stress? They might look and feel similar, but here are some of the characteristics that often show up in each of them. Burnout usually leads to disengagement, while stress leads to over-engagement. In burnout, our emotions become blunted; stress makes them over-reactive. Burnout can cause emotional damage; stress primarily causes physical damage. Burnout affects motivation and drive; stress affects our physical energy. Depression from burnout comes from loss of hope and ideals; stress-related depression comes from our bodies’ need to conserve energy and protect itself. Burnout often triggers helplessness and hopelessness; stress often triggers urgency and hyperactivity. Burnout can produce detachment; stress might produce panic, phobias, and anxiety. So, what’s the answer? Sometimes we may need the help of a doctor or counsellor, but it’s also important to turn to God, who said, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved.’ Author Bev Murrill writes: ‘Those of us in ministry run on our own very “important” treadmills. And as the leader goes, so go the followers. That’s an awesome responsibility. Those of us whose role is to influence others need to be aware of what we say and do because we’ll “be judged more strictly” (see James 3:1). We’re all sick of influential Christians falling into behaviour that disempowers those who trusted their leaders…Whether it be sexual sin, anger, self-righteousness, or dishonesty…we need to examine ourselves instead of pointing and accusing. Spend time with the One who has the capacity to strip us down to the bare bones of our heart’s cry. It’s easy to start believing your own publicity and taking the measurement of who you are from other people’s opinions…Only God’s opinion counts, and that’s hard to discern unless you take time to stop and let him tell you.’
