I write this mostly to those task-oriented, high-A personalities out there who, like me, can run ragged and deplete your energy quickly and feel emotional, physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted!! So consider a question for me – “WHY?” Why do you do what you do and work so hard to the point of driving yourself into the ground?

Most of us who do this truly feel passionate about what we do and we WANT to make a difference in the world. We consider others before ourselves and rarely take a moment to breathe and rest for our own sake. Therefore, I want to share some insight I recently read in my master’s program that I found REALLY helpful!

Whether you are a Warrior for God or a Warrior for the World, you may feel like every day is a battle. You wake up early, get your day going with a quick breakfast, and then jump into a task list that seems to never end. You may pack lunches for your kids, go off to work 8-10 hours, or stay home and work crazily to make your home perfect, prepare dinner, clean the kitchen, and then help everyone with their homework before getting them to bed. You collapse into bed around 11:00pm and consider your efforts for the day and think, “Maybe tomorrow I can make some time for me.”

Burnout consists of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and decreased personal accomplishment. I feel the crucial element here is the emotional exhaustion because without our brains functioning properly and thinking clearly then we fail in more than a dozen ways. If we are depleting ourselves then we must recharge by taking a moment to be still, read a good book, or take a walk. If we are social butterflies then that may look like spending a weekend with friends – away from the mundane chores. The key here is that we cannot extend ourselves past what we have available!!

What happens when we start hating our life or what we do each day? Bitterness and resentment may kick in and we become irritable with those we love. If we start to depersonalize our lives and our purpose in our day then it becomes easier to feel emotionally exhausted (see above). How do we continue to show compassion and love what we do? We look for the positive in every moment and every person in our lives. We take the time and appreciate the little things that we experience. Sometimes, it even helps to change things up a bit. Packing the same lunches every day for your kids? Include a love note in their lunch tomorrow with something you love about them. Tired of the office setting? Rearrange your office, add some color, spruce it up with some vibrant colors, plants, or positive sticky notes around your desk/room.

“I’m the worst mother ever!” “I’m such a terrible friend.” “Why can’t I do anything right?” These are automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) that pop into our mind, also known as lies or fallacies, when the above two symptoms start to creep into our lives. You have to overcome these ANTs with truth and logic! What is so special about your presence in this world? You question what the answer is…? Did you know God created each and every human being for a purpose? He did! The Bible even says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” (Jeremiah 29:11) Also, Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Our paths, our purpose, our reason for living was decided before the beginning of time. What you are doing means something because God has you where you are supposed to be. When the time comes for you to do something else, God will open another door. Take joy in the day and appreciate the blessings of this life that God has provided. The more you appreciate what you have and realize HOW God has blessed you, the more you will love what you do each day.

Burnout is a real problem in America because we are still striving for the American Dream. At the end of the day, all that matters is that we honor God in what we do, we make Him our priority, and we love others as we should love ourselves. The rest will fall into place.

Ginger Turner is the Founder and Director of Warriors for God Ministry. She has a Master’s Degree from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy, is a Board Certified Mental Health Coach, and a Christian Life Coach. Ginger recently released her first book, Warrior Through Grace, about the childhood trauma and life experiences that led her to becoming a Warrior for God. Ginger, her husband, and three children reside in the Hill Country of Texas where she teaches and counsels couples, young children, and teenagers. Her focus is on enriching marriages and families, suicide awareness, and coaching the community on Whole Body Wellness. Ginger loves the Lord and lives every day for Him, serving Him in whatever capacity He sets on her path.