I was standing in the grocery store and I couldn’t breathe.

Trying to pick up dinner had defeated me. The store was too hot. The store recently reorganized the shelves, and I couldn’t find a single thing I was looking for. Though it feels silly to try to explain now, I felt so overwhelmed in that moment that I practically ran out of the store. I then sat in my car and cried, knowing that my falling tears weren’t because of my inability to locate basil.

I was burnt out.

You might have heard the phrase before. Merriam-Webster defines burnout as: “exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration.”¹

Have you ever experienced this feeling? Whether it looks like being unable to get out of bed from exhaustion or bursting into tears at a small comment, functioning normally can feel impossible when experiencing burnout. In moments (or seasons) when we feel stretched too thin, haunting questions can creep in: Am I failing? Am I lacking in faith? Is this sinful?

Experiencing burnout as a result of exceeding our capacity is not sinful; rather, it is a reminder of our humanity and an opportunity for renewed dependence upon Christ. But when we continually push beyond our capacity and ignore God’s good design for rest, we may be tempted to sin in our response to the Lord and others.

A Biblical Understanding of Burnout

Though it is often associated with work, burnout can occur for a variety of reasons: relational stress, unhealthy church expectations, caring for an ill loved one, and more. Sometimes it is a combination of difficult circumstances happening at once, while other times it is one trial that won’t seem to end. In every case, God’s intended rhythms of rest for our lives tend to get disrupted.

After creating the world, the Father rested from all the work He had done (Genesis 2:2–3). He did this not for His own sake but to provide a healthy model of work and rest for humanity. This framework is also present in the life of Jesus. Throughout the Gospels, Christ is seen carving out time for both physical and spiritual moments of rest, such as napping (Matthew 8:24) or going off by Himself to pray (Matthew 14:23). In these accounts, Jesus was not being selfish or unloving; He was being human.

Acknowledging when our finite capacity has been reached—or surpassed—is an opportunity for us to grow in dependence upon our God, who has infinite power. We are most vulnerable to sin when we attempt to press through our circumstances in our own strength rather than relying on Him.

After my failed attempt at picking up dinner ingredients, I drove home in a huff, determined to pivot to an easy dinner once I walked through the door. But the moment my husband asked about my trip, my composure crumbled. Self-conscious and angry about my inability to complete such a small task, I became defensive. My frustration boiled over, and I lashed out with a disproportionate response that left me feeling like a failure. But instead of returning my impatience, he met my tears with compassion, reminding me of the truth in Romans 8:1—that there is no condemnation for those in Christ. He helped me realize that I didn’t need to be ashamed of my limited capacity; I just needed to lean into Christ for help.

Trusting Christ’s Sufficiency

Sometimes, combating burnout and its effects is as simple as acknowledging areas where we might be trying to produce fruit apart from abiding in Christ (John 15:4–5). It often requires seeing our limitations and seeking to restore our patterns of dependence upon Him. When life is going well, finding time for this kind of intentional rest can help restore us on weary days. But when weary days start to pile up and rest—physical, emotional, and spiritual—starts to become a fading memory, we come face-to-face with our limitations.

Unfortunately, functioning beyond our capacity (and thus experiencing burnout) is not always a choice. A single mother can’t switch off her responsibility to care for her child just because she is exhausted. Someone suffering through chronic illness is not able to will more energy into their body just because the day requires it.

Yet even when we have no control over the circumstances forcing us beyond our “limit,” we are always gifted the opportunity to lean into Christ’s sufficiency.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, Paul shares about an encounter he had with Christ. Shortly before these verses, Paul shares about a “thorn in the flesh” he experienced during the course of his own ministry that he pleaded with the Lord three times to remove (2 Corinthians 12:7–8). Though Paul does not share the specifics of this “thorn,” it is a clear source of discomfort that he wishes were gone. Yet we are told it was given to him so that he would not become conceited or fall into the temptation to exalt himself. For this reason, rather than removing this burden (or simply telling him to handle it better), the Lord helps Paul see this limitation as an opportunity to focus on His power and grace. He tells Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul shares this with his readers—and us—as an encouragement that our weaknesses are an opportunity to depend on Christ and proclaim His power rather than our own. While our power, strength, and motivation may ebb and flow, Christ is all-sufficient. No matter what weight you carry or how long you’ve been holding it, His invitation is the same: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

If you, like Paul, have pleaded with the Lord to remove the situation causing your burnout—whether it is an internal struggle or an external circumstance—and the answer has been no, you can trust that the Lord will sustain you. The grace of Jesus is enough for you in all seasons, and His power is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). This means that rather than feeling tempted to withdraw or lash out when you face burnout, you can experience the freedom of leaning into and boasting of Christ’s power.

Notes:

Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “burnout,” accessed June 22, 2026, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burnout.

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Author Bio

Grace Ritz is a Staff Writer for The Daily Grace Co® and holds an MDiv from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is passionate about helping others see God’s sovereign plan to bring beauty from brokenness. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her husband, Tim, and their dog, Biscuit.

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