Roots in Winter: Rekindling Your Faith Amidst Burnout

By: Molly Kreikemeier

Recently, on my drive to school, I was listening to “Fortnight” by Taylor Swift and one line really stuck out to me because it perfectly encapsulates the feelings of many individuals  (myself included) during the winter months: “all my mornings are Mondays stuck in an endless February." During the winter months, we often find ourselves in the routine of rinsing and repeating. Repeating the same day over and over again with little to no change eventually leading to feelings of burnout. However, in my own life, this burnout has evidently leaked into my faith life as well. My faith became more about going through the motions of faith and less about that original spark I had for God. Although I repeated the same prayer every night and went to Mass every Sunday, I lacked that feeling of connection with God. In the face of burnout, it became easy for me to distract myself with the dopamine hits from scrolling on Instagram or creating a Pinterest board instead of actually dealing with what was going on. While there is nothing inherently wrong with taking the routine route of faith, when you begin to do it all the time, you can lose that connection with God and the fire for faith that makes it so special.

The Bible presents this theme through Isaiah 40:31: “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” The context of this quote is that the Israelites were in the Babylonian exile, and through their suffering, they felt abandoned by God. In response, God sent the prophet  Isaiah to send a message of comfort to the exiled Israelites. Through Isaiah’s message, God hoped to convey to the Israelites that those who trust in and wait upon God will be strengthened and “soar on wings.” However, it is important to emphasize that this is not passive waiting. You are not waiting for a sudden change in heart when you wake up, rather you have to be actively participating in your faith to strengthen it. 

Think about it like this, your faith is a garden, and burnout is the endless harsh winter. The ground is completely coated in snow, and the plant beds that you planted in May appear to be completely dead, with shriveled up plants. Your garden, from an outside perspective, is completely desolate and bare. However, despite its experience in the cold months, the roots remain alive patiently awaiting warmth to return to their full bloom. Similar to the roots, persistent faith is present even when you cannot see any growth. To produce that growth, you must water them through prayer, shield them from the bitter cold through scripture, and believe that with time and care, the garden will bloom again.

Some specific ways you can grow your faith in the face of burnout are through gratitude practices, focusing on simple acts of faith, and seeking support from a loved one or a mentor. In particular, you can practice gratitude by telling God five things you are grateful for in your life. I find that this often helps put into perspective and remind you of how God and your faith sustain you, further strengthening your faith. Additionally, try committing small acts of faith. This could be reflecting on a small Bible verse, spending a few minutes a day in prayer, or carrying out small acts of kindness. In my daily life, I like to find a Bible verse that stands out to me and write it on a sticky note and plaster it onto my mirror. This is a small way to remind myself that my faith carries with me every day. Taking small steps will eventually prepare you to take larger steps in repairing your faith later on. Lastly, you can seek support from a loved one or a mentor. It is never embarrassing to reach out and discuss your faith struggles with someone you trust. Chances are that they have been through a similar experience and can help provide guidance or perspective. I’d like to end on a note reminding you that experiencing burnout in your faith is completely normal, and you are not alone in the experience of repairing your faith. There are always resources out there to help dig yourself out of this hole and restore your passion and fire for faith, no matter how hopeless it may feel now. God is also there on this journey with you. He will never shame you for struggling in your faith, but rather, he will help guide you back to the light.

To end, I want to share this prayer from Reclaim Today, which discusses the themes of exhaustion and burnout:

“Lord, my refuge, you renew my strength, and I can find rest under the shadow of your wings. Grant me grace for the rest of my day, and give me the gift of deep sleep tonight. Tomorrow, help me wake up in your new mercies, and to focus on serving you and others with the strength you give me for tomorrow. And help me to trust that you’ll keep giving me enough strength, one day at a time. Amen.”