SPIRITUAL BURNOUT
by: Unknown
Edited by: Haydn Piper, June 15, 1999

What is it? It is a progressive process of fatigue and depletion of personal resources.

  1. Physical Symptoms include chronic tiredness or bodily complaints
  2. Psychological Symptoms include being bored, not caring about important people or projects and being depressed for no particular reason
  3. Spiritual Symptoms include loss of hope., loss of a sense of self, and feeling helplessly indecisive.

Often these Symptoms manifest themselves in the following ways; these are often progressive.

  • Can't seem to summon up hope in their life and work.
  • Have chronic fits of doubt about their own worth and effectiveness.
  • Feel unsure about the honesty or goodness of their decisions.
  • Lack courage to take even ordinary risks.
  • Lose all sense of freshness and creativity in their work and relationships.
  • Unable to forgive themselves and others in order to move forward.
  • Feel the meaning and purpose of their life eroding.
  • Lose a sense of self and an ability to affirm themselves.
  • Can no longer act assertively.
  • Lose the inner-strength to make and realize personal commitments.
  • Feel an increasing need to escape decision making and to avoid conflict or even confrontation.
  • Become less and less certain of anything, including principles, convictions, procedures and values.
  • Experience loneliness despite regular contact with many persons.
  • Lose awareness of awe and mystery of God's presence and the unity of all things.

How do I get it back in balance?

  • Keep Praying - Give yourself and circumstances back to God. Ask God for discernment in understanding your feelings. Ask for what you think you need; accept no for an answer.
  • Maintain Good Posture - Good posture and abdominal breathing allow you and your mind to relax, which in turn changes your attitude.
  • Keep a Journal - Write down blessings, no matter how seemingly insgnificant. Write down things that make you feel good about yourself. List your friends and acquaintances. List things that make you feel good about yourself. List the blessings that came to you during your childhood. List your personal interests, talents, skills, and resources.
  • Help someone else.

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