Are You Running On Empty?

You know how it feels. At the beginning of this year you were on fire and claiming the blessings of the Lord. You felt like this year was going to be your year! Now your life seems to be going in a gazillion different directions. Truthfully, behind that smile, you’re feeling drained and defeated. Even the fire of your relationship with God, that once burned so brightly, now seems to be barely flickering.

In looking at Psalm 6, we find David. Physically, he is wasting away. He’s been running from enemies too long, and he’s exhausted. Spiritually, he’s dismayed and thinking God has forgotten him. Emotionally, he’s depressed and feeling ready to give up. David is running on empty and he is transparent to God. David says, in verses 2-3, 6:

2 Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. 3 I am sick at heart. How long, O Lord, until you restore me? 6 I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears.

I believe there are some of us who can identify with David and I want each of you to know that you have to shift your focus from your feelings to the facts. David turned his attention to the facts to bring himself out of his depression and run down state. In verses 8-9 David tells the enemy of his mind:

8 Go away, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping. 9 The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer.

King David got his focus back. It wasn’t about his feelings. It was about the God who was going to take care of him. David may have felt like God had forgotten about him, but the fact is, God knew his case. He may have felt God wasn’t listening to him, but the fact is, the God of his heart heard his cry. So what about you? Are you focused on your feelings or are you focused on the facts?

I’m reminded of a time I too was running on empty. I came to realize it one morning in an “Aha” moment of my life. I woke up late this particular morning. It seemed as if everything that could go wrong, did. I got my hair wet in the shower and couldn’t find my keys to only realize they were in my jacket pocket. To make matters worse I get in the car and was nearly out of gas.

While attempting to pump the gas, I noticed the nozzle did not fit in my tank. In my rush, I was attempting to use diesel fuel in my unleaded tank. God spoke to me through this situation.

Many times we are so busy that we lose sight and focus on the wrong things. We start trying to use other things to refuel ourselves and it doesn’t fit into the plans that God has for us. God says it is time to Re-ignite the Flame! Therefore, when our passion for God wanes and the flame that once burned brightly begins to flicker, Jesus is the one who can and will ignite it.

How can we put ourselves back into the position where He can re-ignite the flames in our hearts? 1) We must pray, 2) We must read the word, and 3) We must believe. Staying in the will of God can constantly infuse His energy in us. God is the only one who can refuel you. God will continue to instill in your passion for Himself, a purpose in life, and a zeal for living so that you can never again feel you’re running on empty…Peace be with you!