Burnout

“These reflections have it all—theological depth, gospel centrality, humility, and practical advice. I cannot commend it highly enough!”
—J. G. Greear, Senior Pastor, The Summit Church, Durham, North Carolina 

“After sharing wise principles for life planning, Burnout diagnoses root causes and then points us toward heart cures—rest in Christ.”
—Robert W. Kellemen, Executive Director, Biblical Counseling Coalition

Learning to Live within the Time God Gives Us

Burnout occurs when the things that once gave us life and energy become discouraging and draining instead, sacrificing our pleasures and accomplishments to the continual onslaught of “next.” While a common danger for Christians who dedicate their efforts to God’s kingdom, burnout eventually makes us choose cynical numbness over the “caring exhaustion” of Christian service. How do we avoid this pitfall?

Brad Hambrick argues that burnout is actually a consequence of our life management, and he shows us how to create a time budget to avoid living beyond our means with the time God has provided. He helps us remember to rest in God’s fairness rather than try to gain his acceptance.

The Gospel for Real Life booklet series by the Association of Biblical Counselors (AB C) applies the timeless hope of Christ to the unique struggles of modern believers.

“The gospel isn’t just an ethereal idea. It’s not a philosophy, and it’s not static. It moves and shapes and transforms. I am grateful for AB C’s work of letting the gospel bear its weight on these real life sorrows and pains.”
—Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor, The Village Church, Flower Mound, Texas

Brad Hambrick is pastor of counseling at The Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina; chief editor of the Journal of Counseling and Discipleship; and adjunct professor of biblical counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary