Most of our blogs have spent time discussing preventing burnout in ministers. But what about those who are already burned out? I read a blog article today by Thom S. Rainer called Twelve Ways Pastors went from Burnout to Vision. Most of the list entries were familiar to me, and I expected to see them on the list. However, one kind of surprised me. The eighth entry on the list was “Express Gratitude Regularly”. An explanation that went with it said “I took the focus off of me, and expressed gratitude to others”. 
As I thought about this quote, I realized how many ministers work hard for others while being completely focused on themselves. Regular questions I hear tend to be, “How am I going to handle X, Y, and Z?” They either didn’t realize or rejected how others were trying to help them. Worse, either didn’t realize or rejected how God was trying to love them. Basic logic will tell us if we are pouring out and not letting our cup be filled, then we will run dry soon enough. Gratitude reminds us that others are pouring into us. It also allows us to pour a little into them. In short, gratitude helps maintain a two-way mutualistic relationship.
So how do we break the self focus and keep gratitude the new focus? The first thing I recommend is following Jesus’ example of prayer. It starts by saying, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matt 6:9). The definition of hallowed is “to honor as holy”. The first thing we should do is give praise to God. Let me encourage you not to stop with these few words. Make this praise statement personal to you. Take time to think of ways God showed Himself holy in your life today. Try to think of your spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical needs. Ask yourself, “How were these met today?” and show Him gratitude for what he does in your life. My guess is it will involve others. So, when you get a chance, thank others too.
http://thomrainer.com/2013/05/twelve-ways-pastors-went-from-burnout-to-vision/