A lifetime of earnest, effective service to God and others is sustainable—with the right mentality. If you feel you’ve hit a patch of spiritual burnout, here are a few ideas that have helped rejuvenate me.
1. When You Have Nothing Left to Give, Grow Yourself
What do you do when you feel like you have nothing left to give?
In my experience, being “anxiously engaged in a good cause” can sometimes feel like being overwhelmed by all the good causes. Paralyzed by good intentions.
But consider this grounding metaphor by Christian author Kimberly Fosu:
“We’re taught to believe our gifts are only valid when we feel great—confident, energized, ‘on.’ But a tree doesn’t check its mood before it bears fruit. It tends to what it actually needs: water, sunlight, and good soil. Then, in season, the fruit appears, and it’s enough.”
She relays that “water, sunlight, and soil” can look like the quenching power of scripture, the converting power of prayer, and the stabilizing power of community. Daily basics. Once the tree has these in an established routine, fruit inevitably appears—not for the tree, but for others.
That’s doable discipleship. In other words: Focus on your daily growth, and you will have fruit to share.
Christ’s gospel is sweet with “sufficient-is-the-day” simplicity. Live it daily, and the fruits come abundantly, in season, naturally designed for sharing.
2. When Your Service Isn’t Received Well, Serve Elsewhere
What about when the people we are trying to serve don’t want our help?
A strained relationship or an awkward encounter may make you wonder what you’re doing wrong. While reassessing “failed” attempts at service can improve your future attempts—see also: the day I realized that a porch plate of brownies isn’t exactly an effective substitute for genuine friendship—it can also quickly lead to the conclusion that we are failing as disciples.
Not so. “The Lord loves effort!”
Searching for your own reflection in others’ responses to your earnest efforts will almost always distort your sense of worth, capacity, and capability. Only mirroring Christ can produce clear reflections of your own character.
Maybe the people you ache to help aren’t ready for your help yet. But there are more than plenty who are. So, pivot. Pick somewhere else and get to work.
I love this bolstering rally from LDS author Joseph Grenny:
“What do you do when there is nothing you can do to help your child return to Church participation? You get more involved in sharing the [gospel] with those whom you can influence. What do you do when your adult child is intent on using drugs despite your every effort? Find a way to help others struggling to recover. Anything you do that advances the larger purpose of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in any way ultimately blesses everyone.”
Sounds familiar! How often did President Russell M. Nelson emphasize the value of helping anyone in any way? In building the kingdom of God, willing hands are never wasted.
3. When You Wish You Could Give More, Give Thanks
What about when I wish I could do more, but can’t?
“The Lord often isn’t asking us for big, time-consuming gestures,” reassures Sharon L. Eubank, director of Church Humanitarian Services. “He merely wants minutes of our time every day to help another person on their way.”
My grandma once told me about how guilty she felt when, years ago, she could not spend time on family history research. The reason? She was in the thick of raising one daughter and five boys, serving in multiple church callings, and supporting my grandpa who often traveled for work.
This seems like a more-than-qualifying life of discipleship to me. But perhaps the sprawling branches of our own routine sometimes obstruct our view of its very valid gospel roots.
During this bustling season, my grandma discovered a surprising source of fuel: gratitude. When she could not see how much she was already giving and ached to give more, she turned to giving thanks, both in prayer and personal relationships. She humbly prayed for and accepted help, and in each season, she was able to do and be more than she ever thought.
Gratitude opens our eyes to the grace that fills in the gaps. It is one of the only things we can give back to our generous God, and it is one of the surest ways to begin seeing your life as clearly as He does.
Grateful hearts are undaunted by all that has to be done because they can see all that is already being done. Grateful hearts feel and know what it is to be truly enough.
“With Joy and a Merry Heart”
So, maybe you’re not burned out. Maybe you’re simply at capacity. Maybe you need to try a different approach. Maybe it’s time to reassess your basic spiritual needs.
Whatever the case: You care, and you’re trying. And goodness knows, going about doing good is more than enough.
Take some of King Solomon’s wise encouragement with you on your way out the door: “The righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God. … Go thy way [with joy], and … with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.”
More articles for you:
▶ 2 things to do when you want to help but don’t know how
▶ Stressed out? These 4 reminders may be just what you need
▶ The touching way thousands of youth ministered to Michigan stake after tragedy
