POD 041 | Practical and Theological Approaches to Burnout with Liz and Tom Nelson

How can we effectively address burnout in our modern lives? Joining us today are repeat guests Liz and Tom Nelson, who provide personal, theological, and psychological insights on the topic. Discover practical strategies to manage life's pace, the importance of Sabbath and community, and how to nurture a secure relationship with God to combat burnout. Plus, enjoy a light-hearted moment as our guests share their favorite ice cream flavors. Join us for a concise, impactful discussion on finding balance and fulfillment amid life's demands.

Bio

Tom Nelson is the Lead Senior Pastor of Christ Community Church, which he founded over 30 years ago, and serves as president of Made to Flourish, a network empowering pastors to promote human flourishing. He is the author of *Work Matters*, *Economics of Neighborly Love*, and *The Flourishing Pastor*, and speaks nationally on faith, work, and economics. Tom holds degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, serves on the board of regents at Trinity International University, and lives in Leawood, Kansas with his wife, Liz, and their two grown children.

Liz Nelson holds an MA in Counseling from MidAmerica Nazarene University and is a Clinically Licensed Professional Counselor in Kansas. Specializing in adult counseling for individuals and couples, she utilizes psychodynamic theory and an attachment perspective to address personal and relational struggles. With over two decades of experience in the Kansas City non-profit community, Elizabeth is dedicated to supporting leaders, caregivers, and volunteers and practices at re:Vive Hope Link Counseling in Overland Park.

Quotes

"Burnout is definitely on the increase. I mean, there's all kinds of validation scientifically that it is wearing us down. It is ruining our health. It can ruin individual economic, scenarios. But, most of all, I would put it on a spectrum. I would say, burnout is, not just how we relate to others, it's how we relate to ourselves."

• Liz Nelson

"Who are the people we trust that if we hit rock bottom, they aren't gonna walk out the door on us. They're gonna listen well. They're gonna pay attention, and they're gonna journey with us in our recovery."

• Liz Nelson

"I don't ever remember in my early years of pastoring where there was the level of conversation around burnout. And I think across the spectrum of mental health professionals, professionals who work in the caring kind of places, there is a shocking amplification of that in people's lives."

• 
  Tom Nelson

"God does not expect or give us more to do than we can handle. I mean fundamentally, and most of that pace that's unsustainable, too hard, burns us out, exhausts us, is driven by other false ideas or impoverished ideas about ourselves, about life."

• 
  Tom Nelson

Three Takeaways

1. 
   Holistic and Community-Centered Solutions: Burnout affects emotional, physical, vocational, and spiritual aspects of life. Recognizing burnout early and taking a holistic approach—including understanding personal limits, maintaining healthy rhythms, and relying on community support—is vital. 
2. Biblical Insights and Stories: The story of Elijah from 1 Kings 19 illustrated the nature of burnout. Tom Nelson discusses Elijah's depletion, isolation, and fear, and the episode drew parallels between biblical themes and modern experiences. Practical insights, such as the importance of rest and celebrating achievements, are framed within biblical teachings like Psalm 23 and Jesus' invitation to the weary.
3. Practical Strategies for Preventing Burnout: Strategies to manage life’s pace and prevent burnout included maintaining a weekly Sabbath, ensuring healthy sleep patterns, and prioritizing appropriately based on life’s seasons. The framework of "pace, patterns, and people" was emphasized, along with identifying personal triggers and seeking community support. The episode concluded with advice for fostering joy and flourishing through intentional lifestyle changes.

Resources 

Book

Attachments: Why You Love, Feel, and Act the Way You Do - Tim Clinton & Gary Cibcy

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

04:34 Trusted confidants offer truth during distress.

09:15 Increased burnout conversations among care professionals.

13:01 Elijah increases isolation; discusses safety net importance.

14:14 Celebrate achievements to prevent burnout.