Setbacks and Comebacks: An Empty Emotional Tank

Anger, a short fuse, running on fumes, feeling burned out, running away from things, shutting people out - we’ve all been there. And COVID has added to the struggle. One type of setback is when we have an empty emotional tank.

What do we do when life empties our tank?

KNOW THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH A CAR THAT RUNS OUT OF GAS. THE PROBLEM IS BEING OUT OF GAS. UNTIL THE CAR IS FILLED WITH GAS, IT’S NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

A good starting place when we run out of gas is to remember that nothing is wrong with you when you run out of gas. It is not a you problem, shame will not help at all.

KNOW GOD WANTS YOU TO REST YOUR BODY

“He renews my strength...” Psalm 23:3a (NLT)

Our Good Shepherd leads us to recharge physically because sometimes we aren’t smart enough to do it ourselves. You’ve got to love how practical God is. We need to control the controllables: Get a check-up, see a doctor, talk to a counselor, sleep and eat well.

ASK GOD TO HELP ME REFOCUS ON HIM

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 King 19:11-13 (NIV)

Elijah, the prophet who went through emotional burnout and depression, was shown by God a multimedia presentation in these verses. Why? To reveal His power. He is in control, we can relax, we can quit trying to control everything. There is nothing more draining than to try to be Master of the Universe.

God gives Elijah a brand new assignment in I Kings 19:15-16. He was to commission several people. It is what a prophet would do. Why? God wasn’t through with Elijah.

The setback of emotional burnout can make us want to give up. But we need to know: God is not finished with me.

There is hope in Jesus. He cares and we do too.