Running on Empty? - Ruth L. Snyder

Running on empty

Do you feel like you’re running on empty?

  • You do what’s expected, but your heart’s not in it.

  • You don’t enjoy things that used to put a smile on your face.

  • Your to-do list is always longer than the day

  • You get frustrated easier than usual

  • You wake up feeling tired

As Christians, it is easy to expect too much of ourselves.

We have a tendency to give and give, and give - without taking proper care of ourselves, especially those of us who are caregivers. Today, Super Moms are applauded. Yes, we need to care for our families. However, we are human and need to carefully choose, instead of saying “Yes” to everything. If we don’t, we will eventually wear ourselves out and not be able to do what God has called us to do.

“If you don’t come apart and rest awhile, you may just plain come apart!” Havner

One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Psalm 37.

Psalm 37,4

Recently I have seen Psalm 37:3 in a new light. I used to focus on the phrase that is highlighted above, “And do good.” However, there is a prerequisite - “Trust in the Lord.”

When we trust in the Lord, we gain our strength from Him.

I don’t know about you, but I find I really need to put aside time early in the morning to meet with God. (If you are a “night owl” you may need to put time aside before you go to bed.) Sometimes that means I get up at 5 or 5:30 before everyone else is awake. The house is quiet and I am able to focus on God and His Word. Currently I’m using Randy Pope’s Two-year Bible Reading Plan, which provides an Old Testament reading, a Psalm, and a New Testament Reading every day. Before I read, I still my thoughts and pray that God will show me what He has to teach me that day. Steven Lawson proposes asking these 5 questions when we read a passage of Scripture:

  1. Is there a command to obey?

  2. Is there an example to follow?

  3. Is there a promise to claim?

  4. Is there a sin to avoid?

  5. Is there a principle to follow?

I am jotting down lessons learned in a journal. After reading, I spend some time thinking and praying. A couple of tools I have found helpful are:

Something else that helps me keep my fuel tank filled is to consciously thank God every day. Ann Voskamp encourages her readers to celebrate at least 3 gifts each day. We live in a very negative world. Instead, we need to focus on God and His goodness in our lives. I like the alternate translation at the end of Psalm 37:4 - “Feed on HIS faithfulness.”

Will you join me in filling your tank today?

I’d love to hear how you are choosing to do that. Please share in the comments below.

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