When You're Running on Empty

A common phrase we hear is, "You can't pour from an empty cup." It's simple. It's true. But it's also easy to forget, especially for those of us who wear a lot of hats, give a lot of ourselves, and thrive on purpose and productivity. 

Over the past few months, I've had no choice but to slow down. My recovery from surgery has forced me into a season of stillness. And while I'll be honest, I wasn't thrilled at first. But, as time has passed, I have come to realize how badly I needed it. Not just physically, but spiritually too.

In the quiet, I started asking-what have I been running on? My truth? I had been running on fumes. On deadlines. On pressure. On responsibility. On overwhelm.

Even though everything I did I felt was directly tied into my purpose, it was not always on being filled by God first.

Letting God Fill You First

The world tells us to keep going, keep doing, keep producing. But Scripture reminds us of something much better:

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him..." —Romans 15:13 (NIV)

There's a kind of filling that only God can do. It energizes us more than coffee, it lasts longer than a good nights of sleep, and it's far more soul satisfying than checking everything off of our to-do lists.

God doesn't just refill our energy...He refills our joy.

God doesn't just give us peace...He fills us with peace as we trust Him.

God doesn't just help us function...He helps us overflow.

Maybe you're in a season of rest too, or maybe you're still stuck in full hustle mode. Either way, your cup definitely needs filling. 

• I want to encourage you to pick one of these ways to fill your cup this week:
• Take 15 minutes with your Bible and coffee before jumping into work
• Journaling your prayers instead of powering through your to-do list
• Listening to worship music while you design, write, or plan
• Letting yourself rest without guilt
• Taking a 15 minute nature walk after lunch
• Sit outside in quit for 15 minutes and focus on the sounds of nature

Though I am still not back to work, I have been easing back into trying to use my hand again. I have been spending my days allowing God the chance to guide what I do and when I do it. This new approach will become my daily routine once I am back to work, because one thing I'm learning is He will steer me exactly where I should go if I allow Him. I invite you to do the same.

If you're feeling tired, scattered, or dry, don't just push through. Sit with the One who refreshes your soul. Let Him remind you that you don't have to do it all alone, you just need to draw closer to Him and let the overflow take care of the rest.

Resting in Him, Shonda Ramsey