The Real Reason You’re Still Running on Empty (It’s Not What You Think)

Man! I feel like I'm running on empty!

Have you ever used that expression to describe how you're feeling? Probably more times than you can remember, right? While this is generally used to describe feeling physically run down, some of us know all too well what it is to feel emotionally run down, mentally run down, and yes, spiritually run down.

When you feel mentally worn down, you probably know that it means you need to give yourself space from everyone, including your loved ones for a little while. Whether that's taking a solo hike on your favorite trail, sitting on the shore of a lake to enjoy the colors of the sunrise, or reading a book in your favorite corner nook in the local library, there are a number of options that allow you to "check out" of daily life for a small amount of time so you can collect your thoughts, discard what you don't need, and feel refreshed and ready to rejoin the rhythm of your life.

What do you do, however, when you're feeling emotionally and spiritually run down, worn out, and dare I say it, numb?

Let's look at a few ways that don't work (you may have tried some of them yourself) and then look at what does work.

Doing More

When you feel like you're not where you want to be spiritually - maybe you feel distant from God, maybe it seems like He doesn't talk to you the way He does to others, or maybe you just can't see His hand in your life - a natural response is to think that you need to do more.

• More praying

• More Bible reading

• More church volunteering

• More Bible study groups

The same is true when we feel emotionally worn down. It's easy to tell yourself that if you just start making a better effort and doing more to dig into the Word and serve God, then your emotions will follow.

Using Productivity Planners or Mindset Books

Using a planner helps you to schedule your life! You can make sure to set aside time for commitments, carve out time to socialize with your friends, and make sure to show up at all of the appointments you've made for yourself, family members, and even pets. There's nothing wrong with using a planner to help you keep track of things.

Mindset books can also be helpful, especially when they rely on Scripture to help you reframe your thinking. Sometimes, we can have "all" the Bible verses memorized, but when it comes to figuring out how to help ourselves deal with a difficult person or situation, reading a book that speaks specifically to your frame of mind and directs you to the specific verses you need can be incredibly helpful.

As great as each of these resources are for scheduling our lives and refocusing our thoughts, they cannot help you solve the problem of feeling emotionally and spiritually tired.

Social Media Fast

If you've never tried a social media fast, it's a period of time that you determine you will avoid accessing any of the social media platforms you regularly visit. From Facebook and Instagram to YouTube, Pinterest, and more, there are many social media platforms to engage with. While they are not inherently bad, you probably know at least one person who has said they spend way too much time on social media and really need to take a break. Fasting from social media can be as brief as 7 days up to 40 days or longer.

Taking a break from scrolling through social media has many benefits, and generally leads to engaging in other activities like going for a walk, reading a book, or spending more time with family and friends.

One thing that a social media fast cannot accomplish is restoring what is missing when you feel emotionally and spiritually run down.

Be Still

When your emotional and spiritual stores are running low, one of the best things you can do for yourself is not add one more item to your to-do list. One of the best things you can do is... nothing. Literally, choose to do nothing except to sit in quiet and listen for God's still, small voice to speak to your heart and mind. Too often, we find ourselves running from one thing to the next and we never prioritize rest.

Think about the last time you broke down in tears because you were feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. What did you do? Did you try to pull yourself together and figure out one more thing that you could do, volunteer for, read, or join?

I'm guessing that you probably found the nearest shoulder to cry on. You stopped what you were doing and sat there pouring out your heart to your friend or family member. In that moment, you didn't need to hear what you should do or stop doing to fix the problem, you needed someone to listen and be present with you in your pain.

If we're honest with ourselves, it can take an emotional breakdown for us to realize that we really haven't been prioritizing resting in God. We prioritize all the things we're doing for Him or the things we think we're supposed to be doing in order to be "good" Christians. The truth of the matter is that you don't need to do anything to make God love you.

Some of you may be thinking to yourselves that the Bible tells us to live out our faith through service to Christ and those around us, and while that is true, all too often, we unbalance the scales toward service and away from rest. God created the world in 6 days and then on the 7th day, He rested. He didn't need to rest because He is God. He rested to set an example for us for how our lives should flow. We need to have a healthy balance between doing and resting.

Be honest with yourself - how well do you do at prioritizing rest?

The Real Reason You're Running on Empty and How to Stop

If you are tired of feeling spiritually and emotionally numb and pretending everything is fine, there is a way to stop running on empty!

Take a deep breath, slowly let it out, take one more deep breath and slowly let it out.

How do you feel? Did you notice your heart rate felt like it slowed down? Did you notice that your mind began to feel quieter? Did you realize that you'd been subconsciously holding your breath or maybe even breathing shallowly?

Now that you've sent some clear signals to your mind and body that you're preparing to slow down, take some time to start talking with the One who loves you more than you'll ever be able to comprehend. Ask God to speak to your heart and mind. Ask that He would restore your soul. Pour out your fears, worries, and any other secrets you've been trying to deny are in your heart.

None of these were unknown to God and He will not be surprised when He hears you acknowledge the truth. Did you catch that?! He knows what you're trying to hide and yet His love for you does not change!

Let me share a couple of Bible verses that I know will speak to your heart.

From the end of the earth, I will cry to You. When my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2

Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come to you. Psalm 102:1

The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

No matter where you are right now, God is with you.

None of these things:

• doing more

• reframing your thinking

• better planning

• fasting from social media

will satisfy your soul, will refill your empty tank, will help you to feel alive emotionally and spiritually.

Only God can do that.

Stop trying to fill your own cup. Stop. Rest. Let the maker of your soul fill your cup to overflowing.