107 | How to Avoid Burnout: Faith-Filled Wellness for Busy Christian Women

Find the full episode here >>> LivingOnPurposeInChrist/blog

We speak to the woman running on empty and offer a gentle, biblical way to reset through breath, Scripture, and aroma. We start by naming the honest ache of spiritual exhaustion, then ground the path forward in Scripture’s own use of sacred oils—from frankincense to myrrh. 

You’ll hear a candid story of pastoral burnout, the evening a single drop of cedarwood became a turning point, and how the nervous system’s response to scent can serve prayer instead of distraction. From a dawn ritual with lavender and Psalm 46:10 to midday clarity with peppermint and rosemary, we offer tiny, tangible cues that help you return to God in real life: while cooking breakfast, before a hard meeting, or when grief sits heavy. This is not self-care theater; it’s soul care rooted in creation, designed to be simple, repeatable, and kind.

Save your seat now for an Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour Plus Peace Reset at PaulaBehrens.com/coaching. You’ll receive a free essential oil sampler to use during our time together.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Naming Burnout and the Need for Peace
• 0:44 Biblical Oils as Soul Anchors
• 1:27 Coaching Hour Invitation and Free Sampler
• 1:59 Seminary Chaos and Grace-Filled Priorities
• 2:58 Follow, Review, Share: Building the Habit
• 3:28 A Gentle Morning Rhythm with Aroma and Scripture
• 6:38 Not Self-Care—Soul Care Grounded in Scripture
• 9:18 A Pastor’s Turning Point with Cedarwood
• 10:06 How the Coaching Hour Creates a Peace Reset
• 11:03 Everyday Uses: Focus, Grief, and Presence
• 12:10 Exhale Striving and Hear God Again
• 13:30 Final Invitation and Practical Next Steps

Transcript

Paula Behrens: 0:01

Do you ever feel like you're running on fumes, like your to-do list has become a chain around your wrist, and even your prayers feel rushed or distracted? You love God, you serve faithfully, you give of yourself endlessly, but somewhere along the way, you realized you haven't truly exhaled in days, maybe weeks, and your spirit whispers, I need you, Lord, I need your peace. I want you to know something right now. You're not alone. Every woman I've walked alongside in ministry, and I've been there too, knows this tension. We can love God deeply and still feel the weight of a busy, overwhelming life. But here's the beautiful truth. God doesn't want you to push through burnout. He invites you to breathe literally, spiritually, and emotionally. And sometimes that breath begins with something as simple, yet as powerful, as aroma.

Paula Behrens: 0:57

Yes, I said aroma, essential oils, but not in a way you might think of them in trendy self-care posts or social media influencers routines. I'm talking about biblical, God-created oils steeped in history and meaning that can become anchors for your soul. Oils that help you pause, pray, and reconnect with God. Oils that, when paired with scripture and intention, can guide you into a peace reset. I want to give you a little glimpse of something special I offer. It's my Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour, a one-on-one session designed for Christian women who are busy just like you. During that hour, we'll breathe together, pray together, and create a devotional rhythm that actually fits your season of life. And here's the best part. When you join me, you'll receive a free essential oil sampler to use during our time together, a set of aromas chosen specifically to help you anchor peace and focus in Christ. More on that in just a bit.

Paula Behrens: 1:58

When I first began my seminary work while serving two church congregations full-time, everyone assumed I had my daily devotional time perfectly organized. But truth be told, there were mornings I could barely find five minutes to catch my breath, let alone dive into deep reflection. One day, as I rushed out the door with mismatched shoes, I realized that even in my chaos, there was a lesson. Embracing God's grace and self-forgiveness, I realized that true success in my devotional life requires prioritizing my spiritual practices. Are you finding it challenging to maintain your spiritual practices or yearning for a more peaceful, God-aligned day? I'm Paula, and I've been there too. Balancing spiritual habits with a busy life can be difficult. I longed for a deeper connection with God but struggled with consistency. Then I found the perfect approach. If you seek simple ways to deepen your connection with God, this podcast is for you. Please take a moment to follow the show, leave a review, and share with your friends who need a little biblical encouragement today.

Paula Behrens: 3:13

Hey friend… I know how exhausting it can be to chase after a devotional routine that’s just not working for you, constantly restarting with good intentions while fighting through distractions that keep pulling you away from God. I've walked that path myself, that cycle of trying my best but falling short. That's precisely why I created the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour. It's a sacred space where we work together to develop a peace reset utilizing a complementary essential oil sampler that I'll send to you ahead of our session. This unique approach will bring emotional alignment and clarity to your spiritual journey. Imagine stepping into a rhythm that truly refreshes your soul, anchoring you in God's presence for that lasting sense of calm you've been craving. This is your invitation to make it doable today. Save your seat now for an Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour + Peace Reset at PaulaBehrens.com /coaching. That's Paula Behrens B E H R E N S .com /coaching (no spaces). It's time to start breathing peace into your walk with Jesus.

Paula Behrens: 4:13

All right, let's get started. Grab your Bible, dust off your journal, and cozy up to your favorite beverage and let's dive in. Do you ever feel like you're holding your breath just trying to keep up? You love God, you serve, you give, you pray, but somewhere between the endless lists, the dishes in the sink, the deadlines, and the quiet ache in your spirit, you realize you haven't exhaled in a while. Maybe you're tired of feeling stretched thin. You want to feel close to God again, to hear his voice without all the noise. You long for stillness, but your schedule feels louder than your soul. And if you're honest, quiet time has begun to sound like one more thing you should do instead of something you crave. Friend, you're not alone. I've been there too. We're walking miracles filled with the Spirit of God, yet sometimes running on empty. But I've come to believe this. God doesn't want you to push through burnout. He invites you to breathe in his peace. And sometimes that peace begins with something as simple and as sacred as scent.

Paula Behrens: 5:19

I want you to imagine what this could look like in your life. You wake up before the world stirs. Your diffuser hums quietly in the corner, releasing lavender and a blend called Peace and Calming. The aroma gently nudges your senses awake, reminding you that God is near. You open your Bible, maybe read just a single verse, Psalm 46:10, Be still and know that I am God. You close your eyes and breathe it in. That's it. No grand plans, no pressure, no guilt. Just a moment to exhale and remember who he is and who you are in him. And what if you could carry that same experience throughout your day, even in the chaos, even when meetings, school pickups, or deadlines loom large? Diffusing lemon or bergamot while cooking breakfast can lift your spirit and remind you to pray for your family. Rolling peppermint or rosemary on your temples while tackling emails can sharpen your mind and invite God's clarity. Rubbing frankincense over your heart before a stressful meeting can help you remember that his peace surpasses all understanding.

Paula Behrens: 6:29

Each of these oils becomes a tangible way to return to God. Small, simple, sacred moments woven into a busy day. And here's the point I want to emphasize. This is not about adding more to your plate. It's not about checking another wellness box or buying into self-care guilt. This is about soul care. It's about recognizing that God designed your body and mind to respond to his creation. Plants, resins, essential oils, they're not just decorative. They're a gift. They're part of the rhythm of restoration God built into the earth. Remember Exodus 30. God instructed Moses to make a sacred anointing oil from myrrh, cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive oil. Each ingredient wasn't random. Each carried a spiritual significance, purification, consecration, remembrance of his presence. And when we use these anointing oils thoughtfully in prayer, meditation, or daily devotions, we're participating in a living tradition, a sacred rhythm that stretches back thousands of years.

Paula Behrens: 7:38

For now, I want to take you somewhere quiet in your mind. Imagine a place where the rush stops. You're sitting with a warm cup of tea, a devotional journal, pen in hand, and a diffuser gently releasing the scent of frankincense. You breathe it in slowly, deliberately, and you whisper, Lord, quiet my soul before you. Even as you imagine it, you might feel your shoulders drop a little, and your mind, so used to racing, begins to soften. That's the gift of a simple aroma. It awakens memory, it calms the nervous system, and it can become a cue for spiritual presence. And this isn't magic. This is God's creation working with your body, your senses, and your spirit to guide you back to Him. Now I want to be honest with you.

Paula Behrens: 8:31

I didn't discover essential oils for this reason initially. I discovered them because, well, I was exhausted. I was a pastor, a mentor, a mom, a friend, so many hats I couldn't count. My heart longed for God, but my spirit felt parched. I had all the devotionals, all the study plans, all the intentions, but the connection, the deep soul level connection was fading. I remember one particularly stressful season in my ministry. I was constantly saying yes to everything. During COVID, I took on the extra task of online worship services and other duties, congregational care, church meetings, all now online, and my spirit was drying up. I felt disconnected from the peace that I was preaching about. One evening I came home exhausted and sat on my back porch with a bottle of cedar wood essential oil. I had read that cedar wood symbolizes strength and spiritual grounding. It was used in the temple and in purifying rituals. So I placed a drop in my hands and I breathed it in, whispering, Lord, make me the tree planted by streams of water.

Paula Behrens: 9:42

And something shifted. The air felt lighter, my heart slowed down, tears came, but they weren't from exhaustion. They were release. That moment became a turning point. I realized that the peace of God isn't something you chase, it's something you return to. And that's what the peace reset is all about: returning to what's already yours in Christ. When women come into the Aroma of Christ's coaching hour, I send a free essential oil sampler ahead of time, beautiful essential oils like frankincense and lavender, along with blends called Stress Away, Inner Child Release and Transformation to use during our session together. We begin with prayer, we invite the Holy Spirit to speak. We take deep, slow breaths as we walk through an Aroma Freedom Technique to release stress, old patterns, and whatever's been keeping peace out of reach. Then we create a simple devotional rhythm, a short sacred daily routine that fits her season of life, something doable, something sustainable, because peace shouldn't feel like pressure. And when she leaves that hour, she carries not just a plan, but a scent memory of peace, a way to pause, breathe, and remember God is near.

Paula Behrens: 10:57

You see, my friend, the beauty of this approach is how it meets you right where you are. If you're a mom with young children, you can keep a small roller of the peace blend in your pocket. When the day feels wild, just roll it on your wrist and whisper, Lord, thank you for this moment. Help me breathe grace. If you're navigating grief or transition, you might use myrrh, the oil of comfort and connection. It was used for embalming in biblical times, yes, but also as a symbol of deep, abiding faith. It reminds us that God is with us in the dark seasons. Additionally, you may try the Trauma Life blend or possibly a single oil called ylang ylang. Both offer distinctive therapeutic qualities that can aid in calming the heart and mind through the grieving process. If you struggle to focus in prayer, try diffusing clarity oils like peppermint and rosemary. As the aroma fills your space, invite God to renew your mind and align your thoughts with His truth. This isn't about performance, it's about presence. It's about creating tiny sacred cues in your daily rhythm that draw you back to the heart of God.

Paula Behrens: 12:10

And here's something I've seen time and time again. When a woman begins to slow down, even just a little, and incorporates these sensory cues into her walk with God, she begins to change. She breathes deeper, she speaks gentler, she sleeps better, and most importantly, she starts to hear God again. And that's the real goal, isn't it? Not just to feel better, but to be closer to Christ, to live on purpose in Him. When you make space for peace, God fills it. I want to speak directly to the woman who's listening right now with tears in her eyes because she's so tired. You're doing your best. You love Jesus deeply, but lately it's felt like everything is noise. You pray, but it feels like your prayers hit the ceiling. I want you to know God has not left you. He's not waiting for you to get it all together either. He's waiting for you to exhale.

Paula Behrens: 13:12

Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is stop trying so hard. Sit quietly with God, diffuse some frankincense, put your hand over your heart and whisper, Be still, my soul. This is the beginning of your peace reset. When you begin to use the tools God has placed in creation, aromas, breath, stillness, you're not escaping life. You're awakening the peace God intended for you through grace. Friend, it's time to breathe again. It's time to rest. It's time to remember who you are and whose you are. Step into a slower rhythm, a sacred rhythm, one that smells like peace, feels like grace, and sounds like rest. When you're ready, I'll be waiting to walk with you in your Aroma of Christ coaching hour. Together, we'll rediscover that the simplest routines can lead to the deepest peace. You'll receive your free essential oil sampler and we'll pray, breathe, and build a devotional flow that feels like home again. Book your session now at PaulaBehrens.com /coaching. That's Paula Behrens B E H R E N S .com /coaching (no spaces).

Paula Behrens: 14:29

So take that deep breath one more time. Inhale his grace. Exhale your striving. Your moment of renewal is waiting. The simplest routines can foster the deepest healing. Book your session now while the Peace RESET is still on the table. Thank you for tuning in today. And remember, just like setting biblical boundaries, it's okay to say no to things that don't serve you well, like that third piece of cake at the church potluck. If you were blessed by this episode, be sure to share it with a friend and leave a review so that we can reach even more women like you. Check the show notes for all the links. Join us next time as we continue to discover how to live on purpose in Christ. Until then, keep leaning into him and walking in his wisdom. See you next time.