Do you ever have days when you hit a crisis, and life suddenly feels like swimming upstream? So. Hard. To. Keep. Going. Like last Friday at my house. At the end of a long week, I had an argument with my husband just a few hours before the CHURCH DINNER FOR COUPLES. The dinner we were helping to host. At the church where my husband serves as a pastor. I can laugh now at the irony or having an argument with my husband on the way to encourage other couples, but last Friday it wasn’t so funny.
After my sweet hubs and I talked it out and apologized to each other, I was exhausted. I had zero motivation to do anything, much less go to a COUPLES DINNER. Blazing a trail through the Amazon with a machete sounded lots more fun.
Life is a crazy beautiful gift. Our glory days fill us with joy and energy. But some days suck the life right out of us. The kids are driving us bonkers, and it’s only 11:00 a.m. A computer crashes. We wake up depressed. Those days zap our emotional and physical strength. We’re hanging onto the grace of God by a thread, and that thread just snapped.
How do we persevere when we have zero energy?
We Pray for our Portion
Lately I remind myself often: God is my portion. He has everything I need today. When a conflict at work or a problem with a child drains our energy, we can approach His throne of grace. He has all the strength, wisdom, and joy we need. When our cup runs dry, He fills it with living waters of refreshment. When our strength is gone, He pours out His power.
So when we’re running on empty, we can ask Him, “Lord, fill my cup. Pour out your life-giving power on me.”
We Put on our Praise
No matter how uphill the day ahead looks, we always have something to praise and thank God for. When I just don’t have it in me to praise, I turn the music on loud! What can you thank God for right now? What has He done for you? What can you praise Him for? Let’s put on our praise and grow some gratitude.
We Do the Next Thing
After the Friday afternoon fiasco between my husband and me, I had zero energy and zero desire to go to that dinner. But I just did the next thing, which was to go into the kitchen and make a salad. I turned on the praise music loud. And you know what? Pretty soon I felt better. My husband and I went to church and had a great time.
Maybe your next thing is to play one more nerf blaster game with your kids, cook one more meal, or write one more email. Just do it. The Strength of your Heart will give you a strength you didn’t know you had. Before you know it, you’ll feel better.
When life sucks the life out of us, we can always come to the One who is our Portion. If we ask Him to fill our cup, He will. As we put on praise, He renews our hearts. When we do the next thing, we find we have more energy than we thought. And when we fall into bed at night with our cups empty again? We can trust God to fill them the next morning.
Now it’s your turn: How’s your energy level these days? How do you keep going when it’s low?
I love linking with these communities: Holly Barrett’s #TestimonyTuesday, Kelly Balarie’s #RaRalinkup, Jennifer Dukes Lee’s #TellHisStory, and Grace and Truth. Check them out for more encouragement.
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Thanks for this post, and honestly sharing. I think we’ve all had these untimely arguments (!) and yet we often feel so alone in them as though no-one else can possibly experience these difficulties. I still struggle to come up for air and carry on, but I think you’re right – just take the next step and do it with praise and gratitude. I read the other day that when you feel annoyed, ask whether if you knew you would die tomorrow would you still complain about it and I thought that was interesting – all about perspective and the big picture. Later that evening I had an incident that annoyed me and remembering that phrase gave me both perspective and a little time to reflect and realise that the person had not tried to upset me, and that it didn’t really matter anyway! Praying for you and your move x
Thanks for sharing that, Victoria. If I knew I’d die tomorrow, would this still bother me? That is eye-opening, and changes our perspective, doesn’t it? Wonderful tip to remember. 🙂
Loud, wonderful, inspirational music does the trick to me too. Sometimes you just want to just hibernate, right?
Yes, Lux! Love me some LOUD music! 🙂
Oh, Betsy – your title grabbed me. My energy has been drained lately- and I LOVE your list. I especially like the “Do the next thing” advice. Sometimes, we must simply trust Him to provide. He is our Portion! Amen. Another great post, friend!
I know what you mean about drained energy, Karen! I think summer gets to us. May God give you grace as you step ahead and do the next thing today, trusting Him!
I love the realness in your words today. The zero energy days are the ones that you feel you will never get through but then God shows up and these days become His works of art. Some of my zero energy days have been my best days ever when I let go of the yuckiness I was feeling at every turn and gave it all to God. Perfect words to share today. Love and hugs!
Thanks, Mary! Some days you just pray for grace, and at night fall you’re amazed: God got you through with flying colors! With no central AC here, summer affects me big time. It’s a blessed mercy to sleep at night with AC in my room though!
Love these suggestions, Betsy! I often say “just do the next thing” when I get overwhelmed. The big picture can seem too big sometimes when all we really have to do is the very next thing. And then the next thing. And then the next thing. I’ve felt zero energy lately so I appreciate your words of wisdom here. Thanks, friend! xoxo
I think something about the summer zaps us in a big way, Holly! And you have a lot going on with your job and the new grandbaby! May He renew your strength and joy as you continue to do the next thing. And the next.
Oh I’m going through one of those seasons right now. I have been drained and unwilling. Thanks so much for the reminder that a little praise to Him can go along way! Thank you for your words today!
Blessings and grace to you, Kaylie, as you seek Him for your daily portion and try to put on your praise. Some days we just don’t feel like it, do we? Praying you’ll be able to keep on keeping on, and that He’ll strengthen and RENEW you!
Thank you for such an encouraging word……. This time of year when it is middle summer and a trip to the sea has not happened yet and and and and I often feel drained and exhausted. I take an extra vitamin, sit on the balcony and drink a coffee slowly just praying what ever scripture comes to mind. I take a pillow and lay on the carpet in front of the fan and just listen to worship music. YES and I get up and do what I need to do whatever is next! His grace is sufficient.
Amen, Karin! You are a faithful woman of God, always willing to get up and do the next thing. That’s why He pours His power over you so abundantly. I pray you’ll have a wonderfully restorative time in Ozdere! Praying for you, friend!
Amen, Betsy! Practical and simple steps to take when the “days suck the life right out of us.” Love this. I especially appreciate the third step. Being a “doer,” it helps me to just do the next thing. Bless you, sweet friend!
Thank you, Julie. Do you know I often repeat it to myself: “Just do the next thing.” Helps keep you going when days are hard! I’m always amazed at how God shows up when I do that simple step. The next thing. Life’s not SO hard! 🙂
This was such a timely post for me. I’ve been fighting exhaustion lately, and while part of me really wants to hibernate, I know that I cannot just put life on hold and withdraw from the whole world. Prayer has been especially helpful in finding strength and energy to feel alive.
Oh Amy, I know how you feel. I’ve been wishing I could hibernate a bit myself. I hope you can find some time to rest and get let God renew you. May God give you the grace and energy you need for each day.
Yes, Betsy, there is grace for the next thing, and I’m thankful for this reminder. I always appreciate your transparency.
Thank you, Michele. Wishing you grace today.
Betsy, Satan thought he had you right where he wanted you, with a big old fight with your hubby before an event. But you showed him. Boy, i’ve been there! Love this. I can so relate. Thanks for the tips.
Christy
I’m sure you’ve been there yourself, Christy! Blessings on your day!
I rely heavily on number one: praying for my portion. As someone who has fibromyalgia, I have to trust God will give me the energy and strength I need to get me through even the roughest of days. Great reminders Betsy! Thanks for sharing.
Oh Lauren, I’m sure you do know what it’s like to pray for your DAILY portion. I’m praying for grace and healing strength right now for you.
Psalm 73:26 is one of my go-to’s, Betsy. He is our portion indeed and yes, some days we just have to surrender and allow Him to fill us up – even when we don’t feel like it. Putting on praise most definitely helps me too – remembering that we have much to worship. Thanks for sharing your wise words with us, friend. #testimonytuesday
Thank you, Tiffany. Actually I just learned that my mother-in-law is dying. (I didn’t include that in the post.) She’s 90, has lived a glorious life and has a glorious future with Jesus, but it’s sad nonetheless, and right when I heard the news, Ps. 73:26 came straight to my mind and has been there ever since! I love it to! 🙂
I’m so sorry, Betsy. My prayers will be with your family. Even with great sadness, there is comfort in knowing her portion will be eternity with Him. Sending love. 💛
Thanks so much, Tiffany! Love to you back!
Definitely music! When someone is an unintentional reminder of God’s grace, I sing about it, reminding myself to give it. When I need uplifting, I crank up the radio. When I need replenishing, I sing. (Not well, but I do it!) When something gets on my nerves or makes me mad, I really try to remember to sing when I don’t feel like it. Admittedly, sometimes it may be to prove a point to someone else as well as myself but it definitely changes my mindset!
Glad to be visiting with you today thru #RaRalinkup and purposefulfaith.com
Yes, Angela! Music really affects me too. Worship music can change me faster than anything, even when I can’t seem to jumpstart my mind towards prayer or God!
Love that thought that sometimes another is an “unintentional reminder of God’s grace.” 🙂 Priceless.
Praise, Praise and Do. I can’t think of three better things.
Great thoughts today, Betsy…as per usual. 🙂
Happily clicking your smiling face from the RaRa linkup today.
((Hug)) <3
Thanks for your kind words today, Brenda.
Betsy, this post is so timely for me right now and I appreciate you for putting yourself out there. I’ve been in those situations too. Although it’s gotten easier, it seems like the enemy would always attack right before we were headed to church on Sunday. Just getting everyone in the car was a miracle. I am praying for you, my friend, and asking God to give you strength over the next few months. You are a blessing to us all.
Isn’t that the truth? It’s like the enemy has us under fire right before church or ministry! Thanks for your prayer and for your kind words, Abby. They mean a lot to me.
Wow, tons of comments, Betsy! So great! Your posts are very relevant every time. 🙂
Doing the next thing has saved more days of my life than I can count!
Blessings, and thanks for another encouraging post!
Yes, it IS a life saver, isn’t it? Helps me out when I just don’t know what else to do!
Betsy,
Very timely post for me to read at this moment…feeling sleep deprived, exhausted, and putting on a pleasant face and preparing dinner sound like climbing Mt. Everest right now. Praying for that portion that God promises…thanks for a needed reminder!
Blessings,
Bev
Hi Bev, grace to you, Girl! Sleep Deprivation is hard, isn’t it? (Especially when we’re not 25 anymore. 🙂 Or are we?) I hope you were able to get that dinner made, fall into bed, and that God will fill your cup with all you need for today!
Betsy, thanks so much for encouraging me today to praise God! Blessings!
Tayrina
Thanks for stopping by, Tayrina!
Oh how I needed this today – depression means that I can often have those zero energy days – but the reminder that my God is bigger and to just keep going forward and doing the next thing, really lifts my heart. Thank you x
Praying for you right now, Tania, that the Lord will heal your depression. That does zap your energy. Grace to you as you keep moving forward.
Great post, Betsy. I have rheumatoid arthritis, which can sometimes just zero out my energy level. And yet, life must go on, right? Prayer and praise…you got it! I couldn’t live without either. Visiting from #RaRaLinkup.
Thank you, Linda. May God give you GRACE. I suffered from debilitating RA in my late 20’s, was an invalid for 9 months, but mysteriously, amazingly I was healed. It never came back. My heart goes out to you. Lifting a prayer for you now. For energy and less pain.
I was just thinking that I’d like to lay down and take a nap right now. ha. But you’ve inspired me to do differently. Just do the next thing, with a prayer and with praise. Thanks, Betsy. Wise words here!
But sometimes a NAP MIGHT BE THE NEXT THING, Lisa! 🙂 I love a quote from John Ortberb (sp?) In the Life You’ve Always Wanted, he said, “Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is to take a nap.”
Great encouragement – just what I needed this week! Loud music – I think that’s what I need today!
Loud music encourages me to no end when I just DON’T have it in me to praise, Kathryn!
What a beautiful post with a beautiful verse (which I’d forgotten about)!
And oh my WORD. How I LOL’d at your argument story. I wonder how many arguments Jim and I have gotten into right before church on Sunday mornings before we went to teach Sunday School! The devil works overtime.
This was such a practical, helpful post. Just do the next thing. God will get us through. Keep moving, don’t remain stagnant.
You are a blessing, dear friend. Good to see you on Grace and Truth today.
Thanks, Sweet Ruthie. I know, Satan works overtime in our relationships when we’re preparing to serve others! The same thing happened to a friend of mind this week. 🙂
Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect by the title but I greatly appreciate this post and the encouragement in the rough days that it brings. Thanks so much for linking this with us at Grace & Truth!
Thanks Holly. I’m really enjoying meeting new friends through Grace & Truth!
Thank you so much! I like your openess. I never learned to praise. My mom was a depressed christian ( I still loves her). But her sad experiences had an impact on the family when I was a kid. So I learned not to “sing”. Thank you for posting and this tips // steps. It gives me an open window to the sky. It gives me new hope! Do you really think God loves to hear my praise when I climb out of a failure etc? Is it really helping ?
I wish you a lot of patience and love. May God bless you every single day.
Ariella, God DEFINITELY wants to hear your praise when you climb out of failure. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, and if you’re trusting in his death on the cross to pay for your sins, then you can be FULLY reconciled to God each time you sin by asking for forgiveness. Satan shoots thoughts of guilt into our minds, but the Holy Spirit CONVICTS us of sin so we can be reconciled to God. 🙂
I’m sorry for your mom’s sad experience and how it affected you. May God pour out his grace and love over you. He loves your praise and thanks!
I really love these suggestions. Thank you.