faith-filled friday: 3 Things to do when your faith-tank is on fumes

img_1647-1We have all been there, right? I know that there’s been times when I have been trudging through my day, my week, my month…my year with my faith-tank running on fumes. Basically, it’s that feeling of being completely overwhelmed, completely spent, and completely exhausted. It’s that space where you begin to question what you’re doing…and more dangerously, what God’s doing. Doubt begins to overtake faith…and fear begins to drown out hope.

There are SO many things in this life that can bring our faith to fumes – big and small. At times in life, we may face a huge trial that knocks us down. And other times, we may have just one day that depletes our tanks. Some of you may be running on fumes currently…and you know the feeling all too well.

The key, though, is to recognize when our tanks have gone from faith-filled to fumes. When that happens, we CAN bounce back…and we can bounce back quickly. BECAUSE…we have Jesus. Because we have the living God with us every second of every day through the power of the Holy Spirit.

I’ve put together a list of 3 things to do when your faith-tank is running on fumes:

  1. Pray
  2. Dive into the Word
  3. Phone a friend


Let’s take a look at each of these more specifically…

PRAY

This seems so obvious, yet is it the first thing we do when we are feeling drained? Pray! Philippians 4:6 reads,

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

In EVERY situation, PRAY! When we are not praying and giving our worries and troubles over to God, we are not trusting that He is in control and that He will handle this – big or small. Remember, NOTHING is too hard or messy or broken for God to handle. We can let go of the overwhelming feelings, the exhaustion, the emptiness…by surrendering it to God.

Pray.

DIVE INTO THE WORD

Open up your Bible and dive in. If you don’t know where to start, in the back of most Bibles there is an Index of Subjects. It offers a list of subjects and gives you the book of the Bible, chapter, verse and page number where you can read a verse about that subject.

Dealing with grief, loneliness, pride, shame, unbelief?…it’s in there.

Psalm 119:105 reads,

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Open up the Word and listen for God to speak to you. Your tank can be filled by spending time with God.

PHONE A FRIEND

Meet a friend for coffee. Give them a call. Send a text message…whatever works for you – reach out!! A good friend can remind you of #1 and #2…a good friend can even pray and open up the Word WITH YOU! They can recommend verses to read or stories to reflect on…they can encourage you.

I can’t tell you how many times my sister and I, my cousin and I, my friends and I have sent each other encouraging verses when we’re going through a rough patch, reminding each other that God is in control and HE. IS. GOOD.

Galatians 6:1-2 reads,

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness … Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

That is what friends in Christ are for. To love each other well and encourage each other through trials (and obviously tons of other great things, too!)

We do not need to let our faith-tanks run empty. Whatever you are going through today…this stage of life…do not be discouraged. Instead, Pray, Dive into the Word, Phone a friend and be reminded that God is in control and through Jesus we are renewed and restored.

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Let me know your thoughts by joining the conversation on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #faithfilledfriday!

Happy Friday, everyone! Have a wonderful weekend!

His will, His way…

Lisa

 

 

Lisa Robertson

6 Responses to “faith-filled friday: 3 Things to do when your faith-tank is on fumes

  • Good post Lisa 🙂 As you know…you are my go-to “phone a friend” and you always help lift my spirits. Turning to God, and His word, in times of anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed, is something no one can take from us. Thanks for writing this!

  • Thanks, Kara! You were definitely one of the friends I was talking about texting!! Glad we have each other!! xo

  • Kim McCorick
    ago8 years

    Great but simple thoughts, Lisa. Life doesn’t have to be so complicated:) Thanks for sharing!

  • Sydney Shumaker
    ago8 years

    Wonderful advice. Thank you.

  • Rhonda
    ago8 years

    What a good reminder! God, His Word and a trusted friend! That combo is sure to make Satan flee! Thanks for this post!

  • Janice Jackson
    ago8 years

    Thank you I needed to hear that WORD from GOD. OUR Counsler and Guide. He Comforts us , and gives us PEACE His Peace. Not the Worlds peace.
    Thank you Jesus!! Your always so Faithful.

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