Consider the experience of Elijah, one of the most important prophets in the history of Israel. After a highlight of his ministry—he went toe-to-toe with a pagan prophet and won—he got a death threat from the queen and began a downward spiral of emotional exhaustion.

First Kings 19:3-4 describes what Elijah did next.

“Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died’” (NLT).

Elijah’s experience gives us 10 indications of emotional exhaustion. Keep your eyes open for these issues in your own life and the lives of people around you.

Here are 10 signs of emotional exhaustion from this part of Elijah’s life. 

• Fear creeps into your life.
• You find yourself running away from things.
• You back out of relationships.
• You make foolish decisions impulsively.
• You push yourself past your physical limits.
• Your work seems pointless.
• You complain that you want to quit and give up.
• You feel isolated and attacked.
• You compare yourself to others and feel bad about yourself.
• You think death might bring relief.

If you see some of these characteristics in your life right now, you’re likely emotionally exhausted or experiencing burnout. You may even be depressed.

But there is hope—and tomorrow, I’ll share with you what the Bible says you can do when your emotional tank is empty.