Has life beaten you down? Has it become routine to the point where you feel like you’re just existing, barely hanging on? What are you going to do to change it? If you don’t get out of the rut, it could destroy you. Staying in a rut too long chips away at your life, one piece at a time, until you’re left feeling hollow, disconnected from the very things that once brought you joy.
We all face seasons where life feels repetitive, where every day feels like the last, and we wonder if there’s more. Even as Christians, serving God can become mechanical, and the guilt from feeling this way can weigh heavily. I’ve been there. I remember seasons where I felt like I was just checking boxes, even in my writing ministry. What used to ignite my heart felt like an obligation. The joy seemed distant, and I wondered if I was failing God. But here’s the truth—God doesn’t want us stuck in routines devoid of passion. He created us for more—more than just going through the motions.
I also experienced this firsthand with The Chris & Sandy Show. Over the course of three years, Sandy and I conducted over 600 interviews. At times, we were doing 10 interviews a week, pouring ourselves into the show and giving everything we had. But as the months went by, the constant drive to keep it running began to drain me. What once felt like a dream, a passion project, soon became an exhausting cycle that left me feeling empty. I remember dreading upcoming interviews, even though I once found so much joy in connecting with guests. Burnout crept in slowly, almost without notice, until I realized I was running on fumes. That was one of the reasons we pivoted to The Customized Ride. It was a hard decision, but I knew something had to change before I lost my passion entirely.
Are you serving but feel like you’re just going through the motions? Maybe you’ve lost focus on Christ, or perhaps you’re overwhelmed by the demands around you. Life has a way of crowding out what’s most important. That’s why balance is crucial, and it’s not just about managing tasks—it’s about balancing service with rest, joy with surrender.
I’ve known pastors who’ve taken sabbaticals, a biblical practice rooted in the need for rest. The word ‘sabbatical’ comes from the Hebrew shabbat, meaning to cease. Even God rested on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3), and if rest was good enough for God, why isn’t it good enough for us? Jesus Himself withdrew to solitary places to pray and refresh (Luke 5:16). We are not built to constantly grind without replenishing our spirits. Yet, we often push ourselves to the brink, thinking we have to do it all ourselves. But if we keep pushing without resting, we’ll lose more than our energy—we’ll lose our purpose.
You might be thinking, “You don’t understand my situation.” Maybe I don’t, but I understand this—if you stay in a rut, it can become your grave. I’ve seen it happen. People who were on fire for Christ at 20 end up burnt out by 30, wondering where the passion went. That doesn’t have to be your story. Your passion can be reignited, your purpose restored, if you’re willing to make the tough choices now.
So, how do you break the cycle of burnout and rediscover your passion?
- Acknowledge the Rut – You can’t fix what you refuse to face. Be honest with yourself. Are you tired, disengaged, spiritually drained, or mentally exhausted? Recognition is the first step to healing. David wrote in Psalm 51:6, “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts.” God works with us when we are truthful with ourselves. It’s not about shame—it’s about recognizing the need for change and allowing God to work in those spaces.
- Pray for Guidance – Once you recognize the rut, pray over it. Ask God for insight and clarity. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God… and it will be given to him.” Invite God into the struggle and let Him reveal the root of your burnout. Sometimes, the answer won’t come immediately, but trust that He’s at work, revealing what needs to shift.
- Reflect and Evaluate – Why are you in this rut? Is it from overcommitment, lack of rest, or misaligned priorities? Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “To everything, there is a season…” Perhaps this season calls for pruning and refocusing. Reflect prayerfully, journal if needed, and listen to what God might be speaking. Sometimes, we get so caught up in doing that we forget to simply be.
- Make a Plan – After reflection, create a plan to break free. This might mean cutting back on commitments or rearranging your schedule. Sometimes, stepping away temporarily refreshes your spirit. Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Be intentional and practical about the changes you need to make. Even small steps in the right direction can lead to monumental changes over time.
- Take Action – Planning without action leads nowhere. Step out in faith. If God highlights areas of change, move. Habits are powerful. As the saying goes: “I am your constant companion… I will push you onward or drag you down to failure. I am habit.” Breaking free requires action and discipline. James 2:17 reminds us that “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Don’t let fear or doubt stop you. Take that first step, however small, and trust that God will meet you in it.
- Surround Yourself with Support – You weren’t meant to walk this journey alone. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Find community, accountability partners, or mentors who can encourage you, speak truth into your life, and help keep you on track. During my burnout with The Chris & Sandy Show, it was crucial to have Sandy by my side. Her support and perspective helped me realize when I was running too hard. We prayed together, reflected together, and ultimately decided to shift gears. Don’t underestimate the power of a supportive community in your journey to rediscover passion. The right people can help reignite your fire when you’re feeling cold.
- Monitor and Adjust – Once you take action, stay aware. Life requires constant course corrections. Just like a plane adjusts its path throughout the flight, we must align with God’s direction continually. Proverbs 3:6 promises, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” This isn’t a one-time fix—it’s a continual process of seeking, adjusting, and trusting that God will lead you.
Burnout and spiritual fatigue don’t define your destiny—your response does. God has more for you. Invite Him to search your heart, guide your steps, and renew your spirit. Pray for wisdom and courage to make the necessary changes. Say to Him, “Wherever You lead, I will follow.” Trust that He is faithful to meet you in the hard moments and bring you back to the life of passion He intended for you.
Lessons & Reflections:
- Rest is Not a Luxury, It’s a Necessity – Too often, we think of rest as something optional, something we can do when we’re “caught up.” But rest is not a luxury—it’s a gift from God. He modeled it for us, and if even He needed rest, how much more do we? Our bodies, minds, and spirits need time to recharge. Without it, we risk burning out, losing sight of our purpose, and ultimately losing the joy that comes with serving. When we honor rest, we honor God’s design for our lives.
- Acknowledge the Struggle, Don’t Hide from It – It’s easy to fall into the trap of pretending everything is fine when it’s not. But there’s no healing in denial. The moment you acknowledge the rut is the moment you take back control. God can’t heal what we refuse to expose. It’s only in the truth that we find freedom. Being honest with ourselves and with God allows Him to step into our mess and lead us out of it.
- The Importance of Reflection – Sometimes, we’re too busy running from one thing to the next that we forget to stop and reflect. Reflection allows us to see where we’ve been, what we’ve learned, and where we need to go. It’s in those quiet moments of introspection that we hear God’s voice most clearly. Don’t rush through life without taking time to evaluate. Growth often happens in the moments of stillness.
- God’s Plan is Bigger Than Our Plans – We make plans, but God directs our steps. Sometimes the detours, the pivots, and the changes in our journey are part of a bigger picture that we can’t yet see. The shift from The Chris & Sandy Show to The Customized Ride felt like a hard decision at the time, but looking back, it was clear that God was preparing us for something new. Trust that His plan will always lead to something greater, even if it doesn’t make sense in the moment.
- Community Is Essential – We were never meant to do this alone. Even Jesus had His disciples to walk alongside Him. When you’re feeling stuck, having someone who understands and supports you can make all the difference. Don’t isolate yourself in moments of struggle. Reach out, be vulnerable, and allow others to walk with you. It’s through community that we find strength, encouragement, and accountability.
- Faith Without Action Is Dead – It’s easy to get caught in a cycle of planning and praying without actually doing anything. But faith, without action, remains stagnant. When God shows you areas of change, step out in faith, even if it feels uncomfortable or uncertain. Small steps of obedience can lead to big breakthroughs. Don’t wait for everything to align perfectly before you act—trust that God will lead you as you take each step.
- God Will Renew Your Passion – No matter how burnt out or disconnected you feel, God is capable of renewing your passion. He is the source of all life, and when we lean into Him, He can reignite our hearts with purpose. If you’ve lost the fire, ask God to light it again. He’s faithful to restore what was lost. Sometimes, the most powerful moments of growth happen after a season of burnout, as we rediscover the depth of God’s love and our calling.
Final Reflection:
No matter where you are in your journey, remember that God’s grace is bigger than your burnout. He is a God who makes all things new, and He will never leave you stuck. The lessons and reflections in this season are building blocks for the next one. Embrace them. Trust that God is guiding you, even when you can’t see the full picture.
The beauty of our walk with God is that He doesn’t just use the good parts of our story—He redeems the difficult, the painful, and the broken. So, don’t stay in the rut. Don’t let the burnout define you. Let it be the turning point where you invite God in to heal, restore, and ignite a new passion for what He has ahead of you.
Now go—start today. Even one small step can break the cycle and reignite the passion God placed within you. Your story is not over yet. There’s more to come, and it begins with the choice to move forward.
Living a God-Inspired Life,
Chris