Before You Burn Out: Learning to Follow God’s Timing, Not Your Own
Hey Friend,
How’s your capacity? This is a question I find myself asking often because I’m naturally an overachiever. I’m the multitasker who always has her hands in multiple pots at once. But this past month, I hit a wall. I started forgetting simple things, felt foggy, struggled to think critically—the very areas I usually excel in. Day after day, I noticed my ability to juggle it all dwindling, and even small tasks became harder. What is going on with me? Do I need vitamins? Am I burned out?
This crash opened up a long-overdue conversation with the Holy Spirit.
On one of my Daddy-daughter walks, I asked, “Holy Spirit, what’s happening? I don’t like this—am I missing something?” In the silence, I heard Him whisper: “What was the last instruction?” Immediately, a memory resurfaced. Over a year ago, God made it clear there would come a time when I’d need to leave my corporate job. Back then, it felt like a far-off reality. But three months ago, that gentle nudge turned into a command—with urgency.
Fear rose up, along with hidden trust issues I hadn’t faced. God showed me that while I was busy pushing forward with my plans, He was actually transitioning me into a new season. One of slower mornings, deeper pauses, and prioritizing what matters most to Him. My burnout wasn’t just exhaustion—it was evidence that I was operating out of season and out of alignment with His healing work in me.
Has that ever happened to you? When tunnel vision and hidden trust issues kept you from seeing that God was pivoting your path?
Here are a few signs that you may be operating out of season too:
1. Grace has lifted. Things that once flowed easily suddenly feel heavy. No matter how many systems or strategies you create, progress feels blocked.
2. Your body keeps the score. Foggy brain, memory struggles, and difficulty concentrating may be pointing to deeper spiritual misalignment.
3. A loss of peace. The Holy Spirit begins nudging you with unease, that gut feeling that your plans aren’t aligned with God’s direction—even if you can’t fully explain it.
Remember, Friend: you are an integrated being—body, mind, and soul. When something feels off, yes, take care of your health, but also ask the Lord: Could this be evidence that I’m operating out of season?