Ministry can feel like pouring yourself out until there’s nothing left, and pastoral burnout has become an epidemic in the modern church. If you’re a pastor or ministry leader reading this, you might be running on fumes, questioning your calling, or feeling like you’re drowning in the endless demands of shepherding God’s people. The constant availability expectations, the weight of everyone’s problems, the criticism that comes with leadership, and the pressure to be spiritually strong for everyone else can drain even the most passionate servant of God.
Perhaps you’ve found yourself going through the motions in your personal devotions, struggling to find joy in ministry activities that once energized you, or feeling disconnected from the very God you’ve dedicated your life to serving. The guilt that comes with pastoral burnout can be overwhelming because you know you’re supposed to be the one with all the answers, the one who never wavers in faith, the one who always has something left to give.
These verses remind us that even the greatest servants of God experienced exhaustion, discouragement, and the need for restoration. God understands the unique challenges of ministry and offers specific grace for those who have been called to shepherd His flock.
Bible Verses for Dealing with Pastoral Burnout
1. Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to Me, You Who Are Weary
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
New International Version (NIV)
2. Isaiah 40:31 – Those Who Hope in the Lord Will Renew Their Strength
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3. 2 Corinthians 4:16 – Though Outwardly We Are Wasting Away
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
New King James Version (NKJV)
4. Psalm 23:2-3 – He Makes Me Lie Down in Green Pastures
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
New Living Translation (NLT)
5. 1 Kings 19:7 – The Journey Is Too Much for You
Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him. He said, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.”
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. 2 Corinthians 12:9 – My Grace Is Sufficient for You
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7. Psalm 42:11 – Why Are You Downcast, O My Soul?
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
King James Version (KJV)
8. Galatians 6:9 – Let Us Not Become Weary in Doing Good
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9. Isaiah 50:4 – He Wakens Me Morning by Morning
The Master, God, has given me a well-taught tongue, so I know how to encourage tired people. He wakes me up in the morning, wakes up my ear to listen like one ready to take orders.
The Message (MSG)
10. Philippians 4:19 – My God Will Meet All Your Needs
And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11. Ecclesiastes 3:1 – A Time for Everything
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.
New English Translation (NET)
12. Mark 6:31 – Come Away by Yourselves to a Desolate Place
He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.” For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13. Psalm 46:10 – Be Still and Know That I Am God
God says, “Calm down, and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me.”
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
14. 1 Peter 5:7 – Cast All Your Anxiety on Him
Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.
Good News Translation (GNT)
15. Jeremiah 31:25 – I Will Refresh the Weary
I will give rest and strength to those who are weary and tired.
New Century Version (NCV)
16. Psalm 55:22 – Cast Your Burden on the Lord
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
International Standard Version (ISV)
17. Matthew 6:26 – Look at the Birds of the Air
Look at the birds of the sky: they do not sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth more than they?
Tree of Life Version (TLV)
18. Psalm 127:2 – He Grants Sleep to Those He Loves
It is vain for you to rise early, to stay up late, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Lexham English Bible (LEB)
19. 1 Corinthians 15:58 – Your Labor Is Not in Vain
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
World English Bible (WEB)
20. Psalm 73:26 – My Flesh and My Heart May Fail
My flesh and my heart faileth; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
American Standard Version (ASV)
21. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – The God of All Comfort
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction.
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
22. Nehemiah 8:10 – The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength
Then he said to them, “Go, eat rich food and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
New American Bible (NAB)
23. Isaiah 43:2 – When You Pass Through the Waters
When thou shalt pass through the waters, I will be with thee, and the rivers shall not cover thee: when thou shalt walk in the fire, thou shalt not be burnt, and the flame shall not burn in thee.
Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB)
24. Hebrews 12:3 – Consider Him Who Endured
For consider him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against himself, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls.
English Revised Version (ERV)
25. Psalm 121:1-2 – My Help Comes from the Lord
Mine eyes I lift up unto the hills, Whence doth come my help? My help is from Jehovah, maker of heaven and earth!
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
26. 2 Timothy 4:17 – The Lord Stood by Me
But the Lord stood by me, and gave me power, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed.
Darby Translation (DARBY)
27. Psalm 91:1 – He Who Dwells in the Secret Place
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty.
Weymouth New Testament (WNT)
28. Job 23:10 – He Knows the Way That I Take
But he knowith my weie, and he schal preue me as gold, that passith thorouy fier.
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
29. Psalm 34:18 – The Lord Is Close to the Brokenhearted
The Lord is neere vnto them that are of a contrite heart, and will saue such as be afflicted in spirite.
Geneva Bible (GNV)
30. Isaiah 41:10 – Do Not Fear, for I Am with You
Feare thou not, for I am with thee: be not afrayde, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, and helpe thee, and will sustaine thee with the right hand of my righteousnesse.
Bishop’s Bible
31. Exodus 33:14 – My Presence Will Go with You
And he sayde: my presence shall goo with the and I will geue the rest.
Tyndale Bible
32. Psalm 68:19 – Blessed Be the Lord Who Daily Bears Our Burdens
Blessed be the Lord who daily bears our burdens, the God who is our salvation.
The Living Bible (TLB)
33. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 – Hard Pressed but Not Crushed
Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option.
The Passion Translation (TPT)
34. Psalm 103:13-14 – As a Father Has Compassion
In the same way that parents feel compassion for their children, that’s how the Eternal feels about those who revere Him. For He knows what we’re made of; He knows we came from dust.
The Voice Bible (VOICE)
35. Matthew 5:4 – Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort!
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Pastoral Burnout
Scripture acknowledges that even the most faithful servants of God experience seasons of exhaustion, discouragement, and overwhelming burden. The Bible doesn’t present ministry leaders as superhuman but shows them as people who wrestle with the same human limitations and emotional struggles as everyone else. From Moses wanting to quit to Elijah asking God to take his life, biblical leaders faced burnout and found God’s grace sufficient for their weakness.
What strikes me most about how Scripture addresses pastoral burnout is the emphasis on God’s understanding and provision rather than condemnation. Jesus himself modeled the need for rest, withdrawal, and spiritual renewal. He regularly separated himself from the crowds and ministry demands to spend time alone with the Father. This shows us that taking breaks and caring for our souls isn’t a sign of weakness or lack of faith but a necessary part of sustainable ministry.
The Bible also reveals that pastoral burnout often stems from carrying burdens that were never meant to be ours alone. God designed ministry to be carried out in community, with shared responsibilities and mutual support. When pastors try to be everything to everyone, they set themselves up for failure and rob others of opportunities to use their gifts in service to the body of Christ.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come to You feeling empty, exhausted, and questioning whether I can continue in the ministry You’ve called me to. The weight of shepherding Your people has become heavier than I can bear alone, and I confess that I’ve been trying to carry burdens that belong to You. I’m running on empty and desperately need Your renewal and restoration.
Thank You for understanding my struggles and not condemning me for feeling overwhelmed. Help me to remember that You chose me not because I’m strong enough to handle everything, but because You are strong enough to work through my weakness. Give me wisdom to know when to say no, courage to set healthy boundaries, and the humility to ask for help when I need it.
Restore the joy I once felt in ministry and help me to find my identity in being Your beloved child rather than in my pastoral performance. Surround me with people who can support me, encourage me, and share the load of ministry. Give me the grace to take care of my physical, emotional, and spiritual needs without guilt.
Renew my passion for Your Word, refresh my love for Your people, and remind me of the eternal significance of the calling You’ve placed on my life. Help me to trust You with the results and rest in Your faithfulness.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Evang. Anabelle Thompson is the founder of Believers Refuge, a Scripture-based resource that helps Christians to find biblical guidance for life’s challenges.
With over 15 years of ministry experience and a decade of dedicated Bible study, she creates content that connects believers with relevant Scripture for their daily struggles.
Her work has reached over 76,000 monthly readers (which is projected to reach 100,000 readers by the end of 2025) seeking practical faith applications, biblical encouragement, and spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
She writes from personal experience, having walked through seasons of waiting, breakthrough, and spiritual growth that inform her teaching.
Evang. Thompson brings 12 years of active ministry and evangelism experience, along with over 10 years of systematic Bible study and theological research.
As a former small group leader and Sunday school teacher, she has published over 200 biblical resources and devotional studies.
She specializes in applying Scripture to everyday life challenges and regularly studies the original Hebrew and Greek texts for a deeper biblical understanding.