That’s how Margaret explained it when she finally sat down with her doctor. As a Human Resources professional with 25 years of experience, Margaret had always been the person others leaned on. She carried the emotional weight of entire teams, grieved quietly when employees lost loved ones, and constantly mediated tension between leadership and staff. She was excellent at what she did. But over time, something shifted.
She started missing her children’s ball games and concerts—events she once prioritized no matter how packed her calendar was. Her hands, which used to craft beautiful artisan jewelry on weekends, now trembled too much to work with wire and beads. She no longer reached for her husband’s hand, and her once bright spirit dimmed to a flicker.
Her doctor ran tests. Everything looked normal.
Physically, she was fine.
The doctor suggested a prescription to help manage her mood, but Margaret paused. Instead of filling it, she prayed.
That night, sitting on the edge of her bed, she felt a whisper deep in her soul:
“Your work is eroding you in ways you don’t realize.”
What Is Compassion Fatigue?
Compassion fatigue is the emotional, physical, and spiritual exhaustion that comes from extended caregiving or serving in emotionally intense environments. It’s often referred to as “the cost of caring.” While most often associated with nurses, social workers, pastors, and therapists, it can affect anyone in a role that requires persistent empathy—yes, even HR professionals like Margaret.
But in recent years, another group has begun to name the same symptoms.
When Leaders Start to Crumble
Corporate executives, marketplace leaders, and highly competent managers—those who thrive in fast-paced, high-impact environments—are now naming a quiet but devastating reality:
The unrelenting daily changes, decisions, and emotional demands are eroding their edge.
They aren’t just tired—they’re disoriented. They forget small details. They lose their drive. They snap more quickly. Their capacity for empathy shrinks while their output expectations keep rising. And they wonder silently, “What’s wrong with me?”
It’s not just stress.
It’s not just pressure.
It’s compassion fatigue—and it’s moving from Human Resources to the corner office.
The desire to serve people well, coupled with decision fatigue, cultural turbulence, and relational breakdown, is quietly consuming even the most seasoned leaders.
Elijah Felt It Too
One of the most striking biblical examples of compassion fatigue is found in 1 Kings 19. Elijah, the mighty prophet who called down fire from heaven and stood alone against 450 prophets of Baal, flees into the wilderness after one threatening message from Queen Jezebel. He collapses under a broom tree and prays to die.
“I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life…” (1 Kings 19:4, NIV)
What follows is deeply human—and deeply divine.
God doesn’t rebuke Elijah for feeling overwhelmed. He doesn’t shame him for not bouncing back.
Instead, God does three simple things:
“Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep…” (v. 5)
“All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’” (v. 5)
“He ate and drank and then lay down again.” (v. 6)
God’s solution wasn’t a pep talk. It was rest, nourishment, and time.
Three Solid Steps Toward Healing
Like Elijah, Margaret’s turning point didn’t come from a miracle or medication (though both are valid paths for many). It began with acknowledging the unseen emotional load of leadership that had taken its toll on her personal and professional life. Here are three gentle but transformative steps she took—and that you can take, too:
1. Name It
Call it what it is. Recognizing compassion fatigue helps dismantle the guilt we often feel for not being “stronger.” You’re not weak—you’re human. Like Elijah.
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” —1 Peter 5:7
2. Restore in Small, Sacred Ways
Margaret started small. She sat on the porch more. She mowed the lawn and tended to the landscape. She listened only to worship music on her playlist. These simple rhythms became sacred.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.” —Psalm 23:2–3
3. Let Yourself Be Cared For
God didn’t just send food to Elijah; He sent His presence. Margaret let others pray for her. She let her husband take over things she usually controlled. Margaret learned what it mean to become a gracious receiver and she let others into her private world—all this became part of her healing.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28
When the Strong Grow Weary
Margaret didn’t leave her job. But she returned to it differently. More intentionally. More purposefully. More open to her own limitations and she set boundaries where they had fallen.
Compassion fatigue isn’t a sign that you’ve failed.
It’s a sign that your heart has been deeply engaged.
And sometimes, the most spiritual thing you can do is eat, sleep, and allow yourself to be cared for—and trust that God is still with you under the broom tree.
Sources
Harvard Business Review https://hbr.org/2022/
