All is futility and emptiness.  All hope is gone.  Life has become stale.  It seems that life is only despair and weary boredom.  That is how they describe "burn out"!  It affects every part of your life.  It seems that life just isn't worth living.    It can wreck a man's marriage and his work; it can rob him of his friends, destroy his joy, and ruin his fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  It sure isn't any fun to go through "burn out"!

Many missionaries arrive on the field and something seems to go wrong.  They lived a "successful Christian life" in the states, or at least it seemed like they did.  They gave their life to God in such a special way.  It seemed that they were going to do great things for God.  They did well on deputation.  They told everyone about the call of God on their life. They told everyone that God was going to do great things in the place of their calling.  They really believed it.  They convinced the mission board, pastors and churches of their calling but something went wrong.  They burned out!

This term has become quite popular in our day but it isn't new.  Henry Martyn, missionary to India in the early 1800's, said upon arriving to his field of service, "Now let me burn out for Christ!"  Others have said, "It is better to burn out than to rust out!"  Vance Havner said, "I don't want to burn out nor rust out I just want to wear on for Jesus!"  How can I prepare myself for what God has ahead for me?  How can I keep from burning out and quitting?  Missionaries have been known to come back home a nervous wreck.  They are embarrassed, ashamed, hurting, and  scared.  Many have lost their children, their wives, and are suffering in many other ways.  How can we avoid these pitfalls of Satan in our lives?

I.    You must be 100% sure that you are in the center of God's will for your life.

Nothing will help you like knowing for sure that God called you to your place of service.          You must be sure of God's will for your personal life.  It is not a general call with no geography in mind.

And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.  I Kings 17:4

 We could use many examples but this verse will suffice.  He promised to feed him "there."  Nothing will keep you on the field like knowing without a doubt that you are in the very center of God's will for your life.  I do not understand the call of God.  I can't even explain it but I know it is there and you do too. Don't forget that.  If you aren't sure then turn back now, but if you are sure don't let anything turn you back.  In God's plan and will there will be tough days.  He called you to a life of sacrifice.  Romans 12:1.  Just give yourself to His call.

A. Did God call you?
 

1. Did you have an intense all consuming desire for the work of God?
 
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.  I Timothy 3:1.

It is not natural to want to be a missionary.  The thought may cross many folks minds but the truth is that it is only a fleeting thought quickly and easily dismissed by most.  It is God who has worked in us both to will (or to put a desire in us that is not natural to us) and do his good pleasure.  God placed something in our heart that we could not get away from.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.  Philippians 2:13

Many of us were afraid.  Many of us doubted but He did something in us.  Don't you dare doubt that when the trouble comes.  Don't you doubt in the night what God gave you in the light.  This desire was so great we couldn't get it out of our hearts and minds.
 

2. Did God place a "necessity" on you?  Did you feel the "woe"?
 
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!  I Corinthians 9:16.

I don't know what happens, but it seems that one day we are happy in our lives and churches and then something just happens.  It may have started with a message from our pastor or a Sunday School lesson.  It could have started in a missions conference or reading a book.  It may have been something that someone said but it happened.  It doesn't happen to most folks but it did to you.  All of a sudden you felt like you couldn't get away.  It may have started as only a passing thought.  It was kind of romantic.  It was neat to think about but it didn't go away.  Almost everyone has thought about being a missionary, but they get over it.  You didn't because you are different.  You are called of God.

  3. Did your "heart stir you up"?

And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:  Exodus 36:2. 

No one can explain it.  It is different with everyone, but something happened.  You knew it then and even in the worst of times you will need to remember it.  When it gets tough and the Devil is on your back you are going to need to remember this.  You didn't choose it.  He chose you.  He put the unnatural but spiritual desire in your heart.  He put a "necessity on you."  He put the "woe on you."  He "stirred up your heart."  Don't let anyone or anything rob you of that.  Don't let yourself, a "friend", or the Devil try to explain it away.  It is the most precious gift we have in our personal ministry and walk with God.  He called me!

B. Others can see the hand of God on my life and ministry.
He put the burden on me but He also has helped me live a life that met the   requirements of the ministry.  He gave me the ability.  I went before my pastor and he could see that in me.  A group of Godly men have examined me and they can see it.  Not only do I think that God called me but others recognize it in me.  God has placed His hand on me.  I feel very humble when I think about it but the God of Heaven has counted me worthy and put me in His ministry.  One of the wonderful things about it is that I am not the only one who thinks so.  You wouldn't be here today unless God had impressed on others that you have been called of God.  You had to prove your call.  You had to let others see it and they did.

C. I believe God has called me or I wouldn't sitting here right now.
 
Now you will travel all around the country while literally thousands more evaluate   your call.  You will have to believe it or you can't keep telling people over and over.  God called me.  God called me.  Don't you forget it when it gets rough.  Never make a major decision during times of discouragement and problems.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9
 
D. God has confirmed His call in you.
 
He opened doors for you in your church, at the mission, in other churches, and in   the work.  He called you.  Never, never forget it.  Hold on.  He that called you will see you through.
 
E. God's call is what holds me when I get down.
 
I often think of quitting.  I often get tired but then I remember.  I am not in Peru because I want to be.  I am not going as a missionary because I am a good guy.  I am not there because I like it.  I didn't choose to go He called me.  I would be afraid to do anything less.  When I get down I just remember, (I try to forget), but it is still there I came here under orders.  I do not want to embarrass my God, my Calling, my Church, my Mission Board.  I will stay.  I will not allow myself to think of other things.  I will not try to rationalize it.  I will not try to figure a way out of it.  I will get a hold of God.  He sent me He has to help me stay.  For 24 years now He has not failed me and He won't fail you.  You can't burn out.  He has a job for you to do and He will give you more grace and help if you will just allow Him to do so.

The call of God on your life is wonderful but it is not enough.  You must get something new from God everyday.  You can not run long on what you got back then.  You can not run on what you got in your church, orientation, or the special meetings you went to.  Every day you will need something new.  This is a daily relationship.

A. Keep short accounts with God.  Fix things on a daily basis.  One of the prime   reasons for burning out, getting discouraged, etc. is that their is something in our life that shouldn't be there.  It could be an attitude, a doubt, a root of bitterness, fear, confusion, guilt over whatever, etc but it will hinder my walk with God.  We must come clean with God everyday.  We must confess our sins.  I John 1:8-9.  Satan will use our past failures to keep us from removing the guilt and dealing with our discouragement.

 B. Be careful to maintain a strong devotional life.  Be sure and discipline yourself to   get alone with God.  On the field things can get really hectic if you give yourself to the work.  Things take longer.  Things are harder and so often times it is our walk with God that suffers.  Have your own private Bethel.  Luke 6:12.

C. Be filled with the Spirit everyday and walk in the Spirit.
 

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;  Ephesians 5:18,

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16.

 
A candle can burn out.  It only has so much life.  A thing can wear out but we are not filled with something that runs out or down.  We don't have a battery.  We don't have a candle.  We have the oil of the Holy Spirit in us.  We just need to make sure that each day we fill up again.  Every day we need to put ourselves back on the altar.  Everyday we need to crown Him king of our lives again.  We can not use him up or burn Him (the Holy Spirit) out.  Our problem is that we let Satan use other things to distract us from what we already know.  Right now it seems like what I am saying is very obvious and nothing new but let me tell you that on the field you will find out how much we need this point. 

D. Encourage your heart in the Lord.
 
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.  I Samuel 30:6.  Remember Galatians 6:9.

We must do what David did and get alone with God and encourage our hearts.  We must spend time meditating on the Word of God.  Fill your mind with what you ought to think about.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Philippians 4:8.

Allow God's Spirit to talk to your Spirit through your meditation on the Word of God.

While I was still pastoring a missionary told me that the problem with being a missionary  was that you couldn't grow.  He said that a missionary spent all his time on the milk of the Word teaching the new believers and so could not grow like a pastor could.  I totally disagree.  That is why that dear brother is no longer on the field.  You must continue to grow.  If you do your ministry you will grow.  Some of the greatest and most mature Christians that have ever lived were missionaries.  They didn't make excuses as to why they weren't growing they just sold out and did the job.  God grew them.  He will grow you.  Your trials are your opportunity to grow.  ON the field you will be faced with a lot.  If you don't grow so that you can beat it then you will be a quitter.  There will be trials for your faith.  There will be trials in your family and ministry.  Take each difficult time as a way God is working to grow you up in Him.

A. Spiritually.  Get and take good books to the field.  Get into the Word.  Dig   everyday.  Learn all you can from your Bible.  Do not allow other things to get you out of the Book.  Don't study just to preach.  Study to grow.  Let God do a work in you.  If God isn't working in your life then He won't be working through you in anyone else's life.

B. Intellectually.  Study to show yourself approved.  Be careful to maintain good   reading habits.  Be careful not to dry up.  Read and study new books.  Read biographies of great Christians.  They will allow you to see that the great men also went through some really hard times.  God came through for them and He will come through for you.  Take your library with you.  Remember you live on the field.  If a pastor were going to move to a new church he would take all of his  books and materials.  He would look for more, to do the work better so you do the same on the field.

C. In the work.  Don't ever be satisfied.  There is so much to do.  Do what God gives   you today.  Study and learn to do more.  Reach all you can reach.

D. In the family.  Be very careful because one of the places Satan attacks the hardest   is our family.  We need a growing maturing relationship.  On the field there will be more temptation.  Satan will desire to attack your family to get you off the field.  Develop your family life.  Spend special time with your wife and children.

E. In the language.  No one knows all the language.  You and I both need to learn   more English. We could easily work at it more and not hurt ourselves.  One of the very discouraging things on the field is the language.  Just remember to work at it everyday of your life.  Read books, magazines, and newspapers in the language.  Study your Bible in the language.  Make it your language.

F. In your national friendships.  Your new country is your new home.  You will be   more a "Peruvian" than what you were born. Learn the culture.  Make it your home.  Develop real friendships.  If you do so you will be able to feel at home and will have far less trouble with getting discouraged or burnt out.

A. Be a living sacrifice.  Romans 12:1.  We talk about it on deputation but then we   get to the field.  We miss our normal life.  We miss our family.  We miss even McDonald's, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, and all the other junk food.  All of a sudden it isn't preaching it is real life.  Things are tough.  Do not be mistaken.  It is hard to be lonely.  It is tough to live in a different country where they do everything "wrong"!  Pay the price.

B.   Die to your pride.  In the states you were a big shot.  You preached and gave your testimony.  Everyone bagged on you.  It was exciting.  Now you can't even talk, you can't preach, you can't pray.  You feel dumb.  People laugh.  You feel foolish.

C. Die to your selfishness.  Here it seems everyone wants a piece of you.  You are   never alone.  They want your money, your family, your time, etc.  You loan something to them and they don't give it back.  It gets tough to be balanced.  All this is eating away at you and it will gradually burn you out.  You actually get a little bitter.  You have a bad attitude but you won't see it that way because you think that you are right and they are wrong.  It is still wrong.  Put it on the altar.  Die to yourself.  Don't keep it in, tell Him.  If you don't something that little will destroy you.

D.   Trust God to work it out.  He sent you.  He will change them.  No, no one ever prepared you for what you are facing.  But just remember if God called you, sent you, raised your support, and opened doors for you He will work it out.  Just step out on those promises.  If they mistreat you then God will deal with them.  He will vindicate His servant if He needs to and wants to.

E.   Watch out for Satan's attack.  He will use you and your feelings to get you down.  He will take your rights, your desires and use them to destroy you.  Watch and pray.

V. Practice Praise and Gratefulness.  Don't murmur.

 A. Be thankful
 
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessalonians 5:18.

Thank God for making you a missionary. Thank him for counting you faithful.  Thank Him for providing your support.  Thank Him for the folks that get saved.  Look around and find things that are beautiful and say thank you.

B. Watch God move when you begin to praise Him.

 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.  And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.  II Chronicles 20:21-22

C. Remember murmuring is like praying to Satan.  It is your attack on your God who   isn't as good to you as you think that He should be.  If you have a need put it on the altar.  Don't murmur, don't criticize God or His work, don't complain.  Don't dare let Satan know that you are disappointed in what God is doing in your life.

D. Stay away from fearful, griping, bad attitude people.

 And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.  Deuteronomy 20:8

Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.  Judges 7:3.

Their attitude will affect you.  Get around successful, happy people that are getting things done.  It was important to God to get His warriors away from the fearful, bad attitude folks.  Just because they are missionaries doesn't mean that they aren't doubters, fearful, bad attitude folks.

A. Be careful to take time out for your family and to rest.

B. Be balanced.  I am afraid that most missionaries tend to spend too much time   resting and not working.  Be careful not to go over board on work or on rest.

C. Let the Holy Spirit guide your work.  He will tell you how much time to spend in   the work and how much to spend in rest.

A. Get to give.  If you will focus on what God is doing with you and through you   then you are far less likely to burn out.  You get alone with God and get to give to your people.  If you are actively involved serving, giving, living for others and dying to yourself you won't have time to burnout.

B. Don't forget your purpose.  God called you to go.  Focus on God's reputation.    You are going to the field to lift up the name of our Lord.  Do not let Satan get you off track.  Do not stain the name that you went to lift up.  That involves paying the price and doing the job.  Every problem, every trial that comes your way will be used of God to reach your people.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Romans 8:28-29.

We can't burn out.  There are literally thousands of people that need God.  They need the Word of God.  I must remember my calling, get something new everyday from God, continue growing, die to myself everyday, practice praise and gratefulness, live a balanced life, and do a worthwhile work.  There is too much to do to burn out.  I must get from God constantly so I can give to others.  How can I burn out.  I am where God called me, doing what God called me to do, getting refreshed everyday, and excited about what God is doing.

Get in touch with me with your opinions and or questions.
 

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