How to Deal with Athlete Burnout

During my career as an athlete, there were many times I experienced legitimate burnout. I think back to my junior year of high school when I wanted to walk away from basketball. I was emotionally, physically and spiritually exhausted. What God gave me as a gift was the very thing that was draining me and pushing me into a place of burnout. If God gave me a passion and talent for basketball, then why was I feeling this way?

The first time hearing the phrase, “A good thing becomes a bad thing when it becomes the ultimate thing” transformed my perspective of sports. I fully believe that sports are a gift from God. He blesses athletes with incredible talent and calls us to work hard! James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” The opportunity to compete is a gift. Sports are a good thing! Yet, it is critical to acknowledge the potential for sports to become the ultimate thing in our lives. When this happens, the good gift from God becomes a bad thing and will lead to emotional, physical and spiritual exhaustion. You will burn out because sports are not meant to be ultimate in our lives.

Jesus is the only one deserving of holding the place of ultimate in our lives. He alone can fill our hearts, and through Him, we experience eternal life with God. I pray that every one of you knows that God loves you and desires a personal relationship with you.

If you are burnt out and wondering where you can turn, Jesus is waiting for you. God’s gift of grace is available to you through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. When you say yes to Jesus and commit to following Him as the Lord of your life, you are declaring that He is ultimate in your life! And when Jesus is ultimate, sports can be what they are designed to be… a gift! We are called to steward the good gifts from God. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people,” God desires to redeem the world of sports for the sake of advancing His Kingdom.

We are called to work hard in a way that glorifies God. Jesus worked hard during his time on earth. Yet, he showed extreme intentionality in establishing rhythms of rest throughout His earthly ministry. In the Gospels, we see Jesus withdraw into solitary places to spend intentional time praying. We must follow His example and seek rest in the Lord and the refueling He offers.

There is a rhythm of rest that was transformative during my college career and continues today. It is called “Divert Daily. Withdraw Weekly. Abandon Annually.” I encourage you to implement this rhythm of rest in your life.

1. How will you divert your attention from the busyness and pressures of the world and spend 30 minutes to one hour of intentional time re-centering your mind on the Gospel?

2. How will you plan and execute a weekly withdraw from the world to spend time resting in the presence of God?

3. What would it look like for you to plan an annual abandoning (this could be a spiritual retreat, camp, etc.)?

It’s not about the rhythm itself. True fullness is the consistent and intentional time in God’s Word and finding rest in His presence. It is about reminding yourself to live out the truth that Christ Jesus is the only One deserving of being ultimate in your life! He alone can give the true rest we all desperately need.

LIVE IT OUT:

“’He must increase, but I must decrease.’” -John 3:30

Question: Do you have restful rhythms for your life? If not, what’s keeping you from them?

Challenge: Plan and implement your weekly withdrawal to spend time resting in the Lord.

If you're looking for a way to strengthen your faith and relationship with Jesus, check out FCA's resource, The CORE.  The CORE will help you be engaged in God’s Word, equipped on the basics of the faith, and empowered to help others grow in Jesus Christ.