The Key to Moving from Reactive to Proactive

As I interviewed ministry leaders, one recurring issue stood out: Most didn’t realize they were heading for burnout until it was too late. Even when they recognized the warning signs, many didn’t take burnout seriously until they were already overwhelmed.

Why do ministry leaders—those called to help others thrive in their Christian walk—struggle to protect themselves from burnout? I believe it has to do with a deeply ingrained mindset that equates self-sacrifice with good ministry.

You’ve likely heard the famous quote often attributed to the Welsh preacher Christmas Evans:

“I’d rather burn out than rust out in the service of the Lord.”

While the sentiment behind this quote isn’t entirely wrong—laziness in ministry is a real danger—it presents a false dilemma. It suggests that the only two options are burning out or rusting out, as if burnout is somehow the more noble path. But here’s the reality: both are bad.

Burnout doesn’t make you a more faithful servant of God. In fact, it often leads to poor performance, diminished joy, and even moral failure. An exhausted, overworked leader cannot effectively guide others into a joy-filled, Christ-honoring life. So, what’s the alternative?

Shifting from Reactive to Proactive

The solution begins with self-awareness. Self-awareness is one of the most underrated leadership skills, yet it is absolutely critical for preventing burnout. You must learn to pay attention to your life—your energy levels, and your spiritual, physical, emotional, and relational health—before problems arise.

By the time warning signs appear, it’s often too late. You need a proactive approach. But how do you develop this kind of self-awareness?

The HALT(S) Method

Robert Dees offers a simple and memorable method for gauging your well-being: the HALT method. HALT stands for:

• Hungry
• Angry/Afraid
• Lonely
• Tired

If you notice any of these signs in yourself, it’s a red flag that you’re in a vulnerable state. Leaders experiencing burnout are more likely to make unwise decisions, fall into sin, or develop a cynical, unhealthy attitude toward ministry.

For Christian leaders, I suggest adding an S to the acronym: HALTS—where S stands for Spiritual. Your spiritual health is just as crucial as eating and sleeping. If you sense that you’re disconnected from God, neglecting prayer, or missing time in the Word, it’s a clear sign that something is off balance.

The Whole-Person Perspective

Self-awareness requires assessing your well-being holistically. Dr. Jonathan Hoover developed a helpful framework called the PERSON model:

• Physical – How is your body feeling? Are you eating, exercising, and sleeping well?
• Emotional – Are you anxious, depressed, or feeling numb?
• Relational – Are you connecting with your spouse, family, and friends, or are you isolating?
• Spiritual – How is your time with God? Are you abiding in Him or simply going through the motions?
• Occupational – Are you thriving in ministry, or do you feel trapped, exhausted, or directionless?
• Navigational – Are you making wise choices, or are you constantly overwhelmed?

Taking time to evaluate these areas can help you spot trouble before it escalates into full-blown burnout.

A Practical Step: The Daily Check-In

One of the best ways to develop self-awareness is to track your well-being daily. If you only assess yourself on bad days, you’ll have a skewed perception of your health. Instead, commit to a one-month self-assessment where you rate each area (physical, emotional, relational, spiritual, etc.) on a scale of 1–10 every day.

At the end of the month, you’ll begin to notice patterns—what drains you, what refreshes you, and where you might be neglecting your health.

Prevention is Always Better Than Recovery

The worst thing you can do as a ministry leader is ignore burnout until it overwhelms you. The best leaders develop resilience, which allows them to thrive rather than just survive in ministry.

Resilience starts with self-awareness and intentional self-care. It’s not selfish—it’s stewardship. Jesus Himself modeled rhythms of work and rest, spending time with the Father and withdrawing from the crowds when needed (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16).

So don’t wait until burnout forces you to make a change. Take control of your well-being today, and move from reactive to proactive in your ministry leadership.

Final Thought

Self-awareness is your secret weapon against burnout. If you cultivate it now, you’ll be able to lead with joy, wisdom, and endurance—without burning out or rusting out.

What steps will you take today to check in with yourself and make changes before it’s too late?