You’ve noticed something.
Your friend, the one who used to lead with clarity, energy, and deep connection to God...seems...off.
They’re still showing up. Still pushing through. But underneath the surface, you can tell they’re tired in a way sleep doesn’t fix. Maybe they’re overwhelmed, unusually quiet, or struggling to stay present in conversations.
You’re not sure what to say, and they might not be either. But something’s not right.
Burnout rarely announces itself clearly. It slips in quietly, especially when someone’s been living at a pace that disconnects them from their own soul.
If someone you care about is in that space, this blog is for you. It’s a starting point for noticing, naming, and offering the kind of help that heals.
Burnout isn’t just tiredness or busyness. It’s what happens when someone has been living too long disconnected from their own soul.
They may be keeping up with the demands of life, but inwardly, they’re drained. The passion that once fueled them feels distant. They might feel numb, cynical, or hopeless.
But they also may feel ashamed- wishing they could be passionate and present. Add to this their walk with God, which may be neglected, pushed aside by all the demands.
Burnout is complex. And it’s often quiet.
So, if your friend can’t quite name what they’re going through, that’s okay.
You could help them begin to discern it.
One helpful step is to gently ask: Where is the disconnection coming from?
Sometimes burnout is a vocational misalignment issue. They’re doing something that doesn’t resonate with who they are anymore. Maybe it once did, but now the work feels foreign or forced. They’re longing for deeper purpose or renewed clarity, but they feel stuck in something that no longer fits.
Other times, it’s not a calling issue, it’s a capacity issue.
They’re doing the right work, but doing too much of it. Maybe their pace is unsustainable.
Maybe they’ve been pushing through grief, pressure, or chronic emotional strain without space to breathe.
These two types of burnout have different pathways towards new life.
This distinction will be helpful to understand before trying to help.
You don’t have to be a counselor. You don’t need to have all the answers. But you can be a safe and present friend in their life.
Here’s how:
Let them say what they need to say. Ask thoughtful questions. Don’t rush to solutions.
Avoid comments like “Everyone feels that way sometimes”. Instead, affirm the weight of what they’re carrying. Burnout is real—and naming it is one of the most helpful things to do at the beginning.
3. Gently Help Them Trace the Story
You can ask:
“When did things start to feel off?”
“What used to bring you joy in your work?”
“What parts of your life feel most draining right now?”
Good friends help others listen to their own lives.
Suggest that they take time to journal, to be alone with God, to name their inner reality. Burnout thrives in silence and speed—but healing often begins when we slow down enough to pay attention.
Sometimes our friends need more than just encouragement. They need guidance. That’s where we can point them to tools that meet them in this season.
If your friend is wrestling with burnout, you can send some free things to them, as a way to help them get started.
Here's two Soul Care resources that could be helpful
Confronting Burnout
We created a Free Course on Burnout to help people name what they’re feeling, understand the deeper roots, and take first steps toward healing. It’s short, thoughtful, and rooted in the belief that their soul is worth tending to.
Write For Your Soul - Ebook
This short book is a light-hearted, relatable guide to journaling. It introduces the Why's and How's for this sacred soul care practice.
You don’t need to rescue your friend. But your care and intentionality can be deeply meaningful during a time like this.
Your gentle presence may be the very thing God uses to interrupt the spiral, and begin a new story of restoration.
Keep listening. Keep praying.
We’re with you in it.