What Is Spiritual Weariness

Is your faith making you feel disheartened, detached, or disillusioned? If this is the case, you may be suffering from spiritual exhaustion.

Spiritual tiredness is also known as spiritual weariness or a lack of motivation to move on; in other words, it occurs when we are spiritually drained, defeated, and tired of trying.

Spiritual fatigue is something that everyone goes through. It's all part of the journey of developing a close relationship with Jesus.

Many times I've felt spiritual lethargy and weariness, and I've learnt from these low occasions that God is constantly at my side. If I press into Jesus when I'm spiritually depleted, I emerge stronger, closer to God, and more developed in my faith.

Because of the seasons and hardships of life, spiritual tiredness is unavoidable. We don't have to stay there, though.

Whatever bothers our mind, body, or spirit, there is hope for Christ-followers. Although Jesus does not promise to remove our sorrow, He does promise to carry us until we see glimpses of His love and hope once more.

Spiritual exhaustion reminds me of my attempts to become an athlete. Yes, I tried out for runner, swimmer, volleyball player, and tennis player. But I've never been successful. I am an excellent walker, but not an athletic.

When I try to engage in sports, it appears that I have weights on each leg that prevent me from moving swiftly. It also appears that the earth is becoming harder, and I am becoming uncomfortable. Are you able to relate? Probably not if you're a sportsperson!

I feel defeated and weary when I try to force my body to do things it can't. When I focus on what I can't do in my faith rather than what Jesus wants me to do, I experience the same irritation.

Despite my lack of athletic achievement, I have learnt to overcome spiritual exhaustion by turning to God and recognizing when my spirit is depleted and in need of recharging.

“I'm giving God joyous praise.” I'm doing cartwheels in praise of my Savior, God. I take courage and gather strength by counting on God's Rule to triumph. I dash around like a deer. I feel like I'm the king of the hill!” MSG Habakkuk 3:18-19

What does God say about weariness?

With the help of his lessons and examples, God's word teaches you how to overcome weary. God, who humbly placed himself on this earth and on the cross for the sake of humanity, understands fatigue better than anyone else. You can overcome fatigue by getting consolation from inspirational Bible verses, since Jesus taught that humility and unconditional love can overcome all things.

“All you who are tired and burdened, come to me, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble at heart, and your souls will find rest. Because my yoke is light and my burden is easy.” 28-30 Matthew 11:28-30

Don't get caught up in how weary you are. Instead, focus on how you may continue to love and serve God and others. Perhaps it is time to begin a Bible study. You can invite guest speakers from local churches to Collinwood to motivate and inspire your friends and neighbors.

When Jesus invited his followers to pick up the cross for themselves and others, he gave you a mission. When your energy is low, meditating on this calling brings tranquility and clarity. When you feel overwhelmed by daily challenges, open your heart to accept the great joy that washes away your fatigue.

You are not alone, according to the book of Matthew, therefore confess your exhaustion to the Lord, and He will send you comfort. That consolation may not necessarily manifest itself in the shape of a change in your circumstances, but it could simply be a divine serenity that encourages you to persevere in the face of exhaustion.

“The Lord is my shepherd… He restores my soul,” says the psalmist.

God promises to restore your soul in Psalms 23, for example. This is a reminder that Jesus is with you in all of your endeavors, whether it's healing from an illness, doing good actions, or experiencing the peace that passes all understanding.

Stay still in a quiet corner of your apartment and let God's grace to relieve your fatigue and restore life and vitality to your body. Rather than abandoning you, the Lord patiently awaits your readiness to experience his mercy and delight.

“You haven't asked anything in my name till now. If you ask, you will receive, and your delight will be complete.” – Matthew 16.24

Don't forget to include yourself in your prayers for your family, church, and neighbors at Collinwood. God desires to take away your burdens and provide you joy. Never question His ability to provide for all those who love Him and long for His presence in their lives.

“The Lord is the eternal God, the Creator of all the world's ends. He does not faint or grow tired… he gives strength to those who have none.” – Isaiah 40:28-30 Isaiah 40:28-30 Isaiah 40:28-30 Isaiah 40

God informs you in 1 Corinthians 15:28 that you are beloved and that your faith and work in His name will be rewarded. This is one of the reasons why people of faith may put their bad days behind them and look forward to a brighter future. Allow the contagious optimism of other Christians to wash your fatigue away.

“‘Well done, good and faithful servant,' his master remarked. You've been dependable… I'm going to give you a lot of trouble. ‘Join your master in his joy.'” 25:23 (Matthew)

What is spiritual burnout?

Burnout is defined as a state of physical or emotional depletion caused by prolonged stress. You're at high risk of burnout if you're under pressure to commit more energy than you have, and this toll continues over time.

We'd like to talk about a different type of burnout: spiritual burnout. When you take on too much spiritual work without giving your spirit time to rest, process, and grow, you will experience this. Often, this entails filling your calendar with workshops and webinars, devouring self-help books, and devoting a significant portion of your social life to discussing spiritual concepts or experiences. By all means, we encourage you to explore and sustain an active spiritual life, but spirituality is, at its core, about living in harmony with your own soul and the Universe. The trick is to maintain a sense of equilibrium.

Spiritual burnout is vital to recognize and avoid since it clouds your vision, drains your inner energy, and, in extreme circumstances, can lead to a complete abandonment of your convictions. Understanding the difference between feeling challenged and the early indicators of burnout is the first step toward recognition. A state of activation is referred to as a challenge. When we are confronted with a difficult situation, our spiritual ego springs into action.

Deactivation signals, such as burnout, are a state of deactivation. You withdraw from yourself and your greater power after periods of severe stress.

• Spiritual skepticism (“I'm not sure I believe in God if something like this could happen.)

Spiritual burnout is caused by a variety of circumstances, including personal, social, occupational, and communal influences.

Perfectionists are frequently at the root of personal reasons. You may not be allowing yourself the time to walk a spiritual path in a way that supports you if you expect yourself to be perfect or if you are seeking a major spiritual shift in your life.

Friends and relatives can provide social aspects. Is there somebody in your life who has big hopes for you? Do you get advise from a lot of different people? It could be time for you to clarify your beliefs and ask for some time to do so.

Messages from your place of worship or spiritual gurus are examples of community factors. It's fine to take a break if you feel like the lessons you're learning or taking in are moving too quickly or are too large for you to handle all at once.

To begin with, lighten your baggage. If you lower your stress during the process, you will move much further and more meaningfully in the long term.

Make your spiritual practice personal and compassionate by choosing a time of day when you have some solitary time. It might be ten minutes of meditation or a quick prayer and journaling before bed. Perhaps it's as simple as expressing thanks each night before dinner. There are a variety of low-stress ways to connect with and be uplifted by your spirituality.

Take a look at your lifestyle and how your beliefs integrate into your daily life if the indicators of spiritual fatigue resonate with you. How do you achieve more equilibrium so that you can handle the stress of an emotionally hard breakthrough or a powerful physical reaction?

Above all, find a support system of friends, family, and leaders with whom you can communicate. We are global citizens who live in small towns. We are fortunate that, at the end of the day, we are all human beings who will never have to face this wonderful life alone.

What does it mean to be spiritually lazy?

When we choose comfort over discipline, spiritual sloth generally creeps in. For example, if you keep snoozing your alarm until you barely have enough time to get ready and go to work, or if you find yourself procrastinating, doing your chores, or anything else than spending time with God.

Simply sit in God's presence

To pray, you don't need many (or any) words. When I'm soul-weary, I sometimes just need to be in God's presence and let him replenish my heart. So, go find a quiet location (I've done it in my closet or bathroom!) and sit in the quietness with God.

Invoke God's presence and ask Him to wash over your heart. Visualize God's grace and mercy flooding into your heart. Feel the warm embrace of his loving arms over your shoulders. Set aside everything that is holding you down. Take a deep breath and relax in him.

What is soul exhaustion?

It's the kind of exhausted that has crept into your bones. You're not sure how to get rid of it; it's become a part of you.

It's no longer possible to feel as if you're full of vitality. You roll your eyes and make a half-hearted chuckle when your friends or loved ones advise going out to supper after eight o'clock in the evening – go out? That's adorable. You hardly have the energy to keep your eyelids open at work for the entire day, let alone go out after work.

But it's not only about the massive amounts of energy required to keep your eyelids open.

It takes too much energy to talk about the things that are weighing heavily on your mind and emotions.

It takes too much energy to argue with others about things that bother you.

You no longer allow yourself to be delighted about the sweet things in life because it takes too much energy to hope for the things you've been dreaming of. You've been let down too many times and now feel as if you don't have anything left to give — so you don't participate.

There's a reason you can't conjure the energy you need to do these easy tasks. There's a reason you don't participate and instead entertain the unknown road – it's because it's drained you of all emotion.

Soul weariness can make you feel as though you're running an endless marathon. It can feel as if you're treading water in the middle of the ocean for hours on end – soul exhaustion can make you feel as if you don't have any more tears to cry, as if your tear ducts, like your spirit, are forever empty.

When you're in the throes of soul tiredness, all you want is silence and a good night's sleep.

It's easy to withdraw when you're in the throes of soul tiredness — you begin to want solitude because it's simpler than dealing with the people in your life.

When it happens, I hope you take a moment to think about it. I hope you take a moment to delve a little further. I hope you think about why you're withdrawing from your current life and fight the impulse to give in entirely to the craving.

There is a distinction to be made between requiring alone time and withdrawing from everyone and everything because your soul is fatigued.

Recognize the difference, and then devote time to determining what you require to bring your soul back to life.

Maybe you just need a break from your daily routine, or maybe you just need ten minutes to yourself every morning. Perhaps you require a new employment, a new habit, or a new social circle. Perhaps you need to speak out more for what you require, which may require you to be comfortable with the word “no.”

Perhaps you need to have your morning coffee in peace, exercise more, or pay closer attention to your finances.

Perhaps you need to get assistance with your children, domestic duties, or the balancing act of maintaining a household.

Perhaps it means reminding yourself that it's okay to ask for help, and that just because the everyday responsibilities of whatever you're dealing with are depleting you doesn't mean you're a failure, a screw-up, or any less of a human being.

Give yourself permission and space to sort it out, whatever it is. I hope you understand that you must take the time — and that the time to make sense of your tiredness will never come to you on a silver platter — and that you must seize it without fanfare.

Matthew 11:28-30

“All you who are tired and burdened, come to me, and I will give you rest.” Take up my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble at heart, and your souls will find rest. Because my yoke is light and my burden is light,” he says.

Philippians 4:6-7

“Do not be concerned about anything; instead, offer your requests to God in every situation via prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving.” In Christ Jesus, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds.”

What are the 5 stages of burnout?

Previously, an American psychologist named Herbert Freudenberger classified burnout into 12 stages. This was later condensed into a five-stage variant, as shown below.

Honeymoon phase

The Honeymoon stage is the first of three stages (Figure 1). It's especially important when starting new jobs or taking on new projects and activities. There are no symptoms of burnout at this point; instead, you are full of excitement, devotion, and enjoyment from your work. You are an extremely productive person who takes on every assignment and opportunity that comes your way in order to give it your all. You are creative, optimistic, and full of energy, and you may take on more than you should in order to demonstrate your abilities (3).

This stage is fantastic, and staying here indefinitely would be ideal! When you're in this stage, however, be cautious. The risky part of the honeymoon phase is that if you don't avoid overworking and develop techniques to wind down and obtain rest on a regular basis, you can find yourself in the following stage before you realize it.

Onset of Stress

When you progressively notice that some days are more stressful than others, you go to the next step. You don't have time for your personal needs, and you're spending less time with your family and friends. It's possible that your job will become the most significant aspect of your life (1). Some early indicators of stress may concern you, such as difficulty concentrating, headaches, anxiety, changes in appetite, and even elevated blood pressure, to mention a few (3).

Chronic Stress

Chronic stress develops when you are exposed to excessive amounts of stress on a regular basis. As a result, your problem-solving abilities and performance deteriorate even more, and you begin to feel powerless and out of control. Your efforts do not appear to be yielding the same positive effects as they were previously. You may postpone to avoid dealing with the stress of your tasks. You may not be appreciated or recognized for your accomplishments, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and failure (1).

Chronic stress has an adverse effect on your mental and physical health, aggravating the symptoms listed in stage 2. You might notice that you're getting sick more frequently now. Additionally, you may not seem to be able to control your emotions as effectively as you formerly did. Even minor events can make you irritable, bitter, or depressed. You can deny the issues and isolate yourself from coworkers and social activities (1). In extreme instances, some people may resort to self-medicating with alcohol or narcotics in order to cope with their bad emotions.