"Drainout"

 

 

“Drainout”

 

An NFL Head Coach suddenly resigns his position even though his team has done well under his leadership. A high-powered CEO steps out of his role despite his company’s profits while he was at the helm. And a successful pastor leaves a thriving church and the ministry. In each case the reason given was burnout. Psychologist Herbert Freudenberger defines burnout as “…a state of fatigue or frustration brought about by devotion to a cause, way of life, or relationship that failed to produce the expected reward.” It usually occurs among those who want to be the best but fall short of expectations, both their own and those of others.

Since we associate burning with fire which normally flares up quickly and burnout happens over a period of time perhaps it’s not the best term to describe the condition. But is there a better one? I believe there is. In her excellent devotional book Jesus Calling Sarah Young calls this phenomenon drainout because those so afflicted have allowed people and circumstances to continually deplete their resources. Without replenishment and refreshment physically, emotionally and spiritually they become like a reservoir which becomes tapped out without a constant influx of a fresh water supply. Sadly, many (maybe including the three men cited above) don’t realize it’s happening until they’ve hit bottom. At one point I was almost there, but with the help of friends, Christian counseling and especially Karen’s steadfast support God “…lifted me out of the slimy pit…he set my set on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” (Psalm 40:2).

As He always does Jesus provides help. He invites us, “Come to me, all you who are wearied and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). The Greek word for rest means renewal or refreshment (a paraphrase might be, “I’ll recharge your batteries.”). And in his times of struggle the Apostle Paul could say, “…We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away (i.e. experiencing drainout), yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16). We can experience the same restoration as he did by being in God’s Word (“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly….”—Colossians 3:16), prayer (“…pray continually….”—1 Thessalonians 5:17), and being with God’s people (“They devoted themselves…to the fellowship….”—Acts 2:42). As we do, drainout will become history and we’ll be “…filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan