Hope for Police OfficersSample

The Burnout

As we’ve discovered this week, the call to serve and protect is rewarding but not without challenges. It’s vital to your mental health to take time to refresh and reboot.

The lack of personnel, constant exposure to crime, and hyper-diligence all wear on your nerves. When do you get time for physical, mental, and spiritual renewal? This predicament is compounded with personal or family responsibilities.

Think about it, every day you pour yourself into your job. Who pours into you? It’s vital you follow Christ’s example (Luke 5:16) and take time away to restore your soul. Even Jesus knew when to withdraw and be ministered to. Only then could he return to ministry revived and ready to face the world.

You have an important role in society. It’s the unique function of keeping the peace, a job we cannot do without.Yet the attrition factor for law enforcement reveals something sad. Due to increased scrutiny and low morale, in 2021, a study by the Police Executive Research Forum of nearly 200 departments revealed a 45% increase in retirement. On average, many new recruits only last 2 years. Most of these officers were unable to recharge, resulting in occupational burnout.

As you interact with the public, co-workers, and supervisors, remember this: if you are to be a light in this dark world, take time daily to be re-filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). It’s vital to attend a local church, join a small group Bible study, and surround yourself with godly people who can speak into your life. But most importantly, spend time drawing close to and gaining strength from your Savior, your comfort and hope.

Only then will you be able to deal with burnout, making a difference in this world. Whatever your role, do what you can to instruct, encourage, challenge, and confront in the power of the Holy Spirit, then leave the results to God.

For more encouragement for first responders, get a copy of Tez's latest book, "Debriefing: Meditations of Hope for Those Who Protect and Serve"