Burned Clean Not Out

John Mark Comer recently posed a thought-provoking question: Rather than burn you out, what if what God is doing through your vocation is meant to burn you clean? This perspective invites us to look beyond mere lifestyle adjustments and consider a deeper, spiritual approach to resilience and vocation.

For many, Dallas Willard has also been a faithful guide to developing a deeper spiritual life. Dallas Willard (1935-2013) was a philosopher and theologian at the University of Southern California who became an influential figure through his speaking, writing, and mentoring. His teachings emphasize living a life permeated by love and sustained by spiritual disciplines, offering a pathway out of burnout for healthcare professionals. I unpack some of his ideas below and contextualize them within the context of service-oriented burnout.

• Depersonalization and the Call to Love. Depersonalization in medicine happens when we start seeing patients as cases rather than people. Willard’s concept of being “permeated with love” suggests that our actions should flow naturally from who we are in Christ. Medicine asks us to love strangers repeatedly. Viewing each patient as a person made in God’s image can help us reclaim the personal connection that burnout often erodes. For Willard, the goal would not be to see 40 patients in a day, but to become a genuine person of love capable of seeing all the patients before you. It is a subtle, yet profound difference in our primary goal.

• Emotional Exhaustion and Finding Joy in God. Emotional exhaustion is a hallmark of burnout. Willard believed in a God who is the happiest being in the universe and invites us to share in that joy. By setting our minds on the Spirit, as Paul suggests in Romans 8:5-6, we can experience life and peace, counteracting the exhaustion that stems from our demanding roles. Spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation, and worship can renew our spirits and restore our emotional balance. They do so most effectively when we see them as tools for connecting to an infinitely loving God rather than means for satiating a demanding God.
• Reduced Personal Accomplishment and the Value of Being. Burnout often leaves us questioning our impact and value. Willard posits that God’s primary concern is not our achievements but who we become. This perspective shifts the focus from striving to thriving. By integrating faith and science, we can see our work as part of God’s long-term plan, where each interaction and effort contributes to our spiritual formation.

Practical Steps to Avoid Burnout

Adopting Willard’s principles involves practical spiritual practices that support both professional and personal growth.

• In a culture of rush and hurry, embrace a counter-cultural slowness: Engage in regular practices like Sabbath rest, prayer, and scripture reading. These disciplines create space for reflection and renewal, helping us maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life. One of my favorite practices is a 20-minute contemplative prayer session in silence prior to my chaotic shifts in the women’s emergency room.
• In a world of distraction, curate your thoughts: Develop the habit of metacognition, thinking about your thoughts and setting your mind on the Spirit. Simple reminders throughout the day can help redirect your focus towards God and maintain a sense of peace and purpose amidst the chaos. For me, I try to use elevator rides in the hospital not as a chance to look at my phone, but as an opportunity to turn my mind back to God and ask for his strength to fill my upcoming interactions.
• In a generation plagued by isolation, recognize that you are not alone: Foster a supportive community among colleagues. Share your struggles and successes, and encourage one another in integrating faith and work. Regular meetings or small groups focused on spiritual growth can provide much-needed support and accountability.