Unfortunately for most educators, burnout is cruel reality. From heavy course loads large class sizes, burnout seems to be an inevitable occurrence in our lives. However, Kent Crockett, author of "The 911 Handbook" offers the following advice and steps for effectively dealing with burnout, from a biblical perspective. I would suggest that you apply these principles to your life in order to "keep the fire burning."

"And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary." (Galatians 6:9)

Whether we've been planting educational seeds for an entire semester or for a year or more, we must not succumb to burnout. According to Crockett, "When we quit, we forfeit the harvest." He continues, The harvest comes at the end of the season, but if we quit before then, all the work we have done will have been in vain." How would you feel knowing that all of the time you've invested in a student was for nothing? Well, it won't have to be if you can prevent yourself from burning out.

How to Prevent Burn-Out

Rest from our labor (even God took one day off)

Reduce your workload.

I know it's a lot harder than it sounds, but God doesn't expect us to do everything (even if administrators and parents do), just the things he has planned for us. That's why we need to re-evaluate everything we are doing. We must ask God what we need to let go of (can you think of anything?) and what he wants us to continue doing.

Regulate your schedule.

The secret to enduring the race of life is to regulate our schedule by living just one day at a time. How will you ever be able to master your future if you're failing at mastering today? No one ever sprinted to win a marathon, and neither can you.

Refuel your spirit.

Usually when a person burns out, he or she has been trying to live life by his or her own strength, rather than by the God's. Quit trying to do it with you own power and strength. Ask God to fill you with his.

Renew your vision.

"Where there is no vision, the people perish." (Prov. 29:18 KJV) When you renew your vision, you will be motivated out of inspiration rather than out of desperation. People without vision will drop out of the race, but people with it will finish victoriously.