Bitter Medicine

Topeka Bible Church - KS

Bitter Medicine

March 12, 2023 • Connor Kraus • Ruth

When life becomes hard, it is easy to take the road of burnout and bitterness. Pastor Connor takes us to the book of Ruth to look at the experience of Naomi. Naomi loses everything and urges her two daughter-in-laws to leave her as well so they can live their own lives. She returns to her home in the Promised Land after many years and she is questioning why God is doing all of this to her. However, Naomi is blinded to the blessings God is setting up for her through her daughter-in-law Ruth and the generosity of Boaz. Thankfully, women in Naomi's life remind her in the end that God did work on her behalf and that she has much to be thankful for.

There are three reminders to be taken from Naomi's story:

1. God is providing for you. Look around for God's blessing, even if it is not where you were hoping to find it.

2. God did not forget you. Practice patience when speaking to God. He knows your situation and is acting with perfect timing.

3. God has a plan. Pray that your situation would glorify God. How could your story help someone else?

A Six Fix for Burnout Doubt

March 5, 2023 • Jim Congdon • Luke 7:18–23

"Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?" The past two weeks on burnout have been focusing on the Old Testament, but Pastor Jim is taking us this week to John the Baptist in the New Testament. It is hard to imagine John the Baptist doubting Jesus after all of the preaching and preparing he did, but after he experienced massive burnout, it caused him to doubt things that he used to be so sure about. This happens to even the greatest of Christ followers. Our expectations of God not happening can lead to a crash and burnout in our faith. But John took his doubt and questions right to the source: Jesus. If we do this ourselves, He will take us seriously, answer us sufficiently, and treat us sensitively.

Rely on Me? Rely on Thee

February 26, 2023 • Connor Kraus • Exodus 18

Burnout comes from a life situation with a long term problem. You cannot just sit back and relax to hope it all goes away. Lead Pastor Connor Kraus returns to the pulpit to bring the example of Moses directly after God rescued Israel from the bondage of Egypt. Many of the Israelites complained about the lack of food and even said they should go back to Egypt. Moses' Father-In-Law, Jethro, warned Moses about burnout and suggested he place other people in specific positions of power so he is not overwhelmed by doing I all. There were four problems leading to Moses' impending burnout. First, the task was too heavy for him to do on his own indefinitely. Second, the people were frustrated and dissatisfied. Third, Moses was wearing out during a crucial time of leadership. Fourth, the plan was based on Moses' self-reliance with no one else to lean on. One of the easiest paths to burnout is by trying to do it all ourselves, and the best way to beat burnout is to rely on God instead.

Emergency Treatment

February 19, 2023 • Jim Congdon • 1 Kings 19

Burnout can be classified as when the flame of your life is sputtering out. This can include anything from faith to marriage to work life. Pastor Jim kicks off this new short series by relating this problem of burnout out to one of the greatest heroes in the Bible: Elijah. After Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal, he felt that there would be a resurgence of people following after the true god Yahweh. Instead however, Jezebel, the queen, doubled down and threatened Elijah's life. The text indicates Elijah was afraid, but why would he be afraid now and not earlier? Was Elijah really just broken down by having everything he has worked so hard for result in nothing? When Elijah fled south, God met him where he was at. First, he provided for his physical needs, then spiritual, and soon would provide him companion to share his burden with. If you're close to burnout yourself, look after yourself and get rest. Then, look to the Lord get a new refreshed vision of Him. Finally, look around for companions in your life who have fought through the same struggles.