I was in a conversation about a gas tank being on “E”…If you are like my spouse and I, we put gas in our tank when the little bell rings. Thanks to Costco, I think my hubby may choose to “fill-er-up” at that signal but I, however, still choose to put in the same $30 worth I have always done.

I very rarely “fill-er-up”…

I am not sure why I do that but what I do know is that I need to refuel far more often than I would if I simply filled the darn tank.

I seem to run low -or on fumes- on a regular basis.

And, it seems, many of us do the same spiritually- which leads to emotional and physical fatigue.

In my truck, I feel like I am often rushing to the gas station when I am in desperate need…On those rare times when I do choose to plan ahead and actually give myself the fuel I know I am going to need anyways- I am no longer as flustered, as rushed, or as worried about running out of gas completely.

There seems to be an advantage to keeping that tank filled…

I would dare say the same thing applies to my spiritual life:

When I KNOW there is a tough day, super busy, or emotional experience ahead of me I plan ahead– paving the way with prayer and planned time with the Lord.

I have learned the hard way what happens when I don’t on those days- they just got worse.

But how about on the in-between days? That’s where most of us live…get up, go to work, same old illness/drama/pain/trial but a different day.

Am I filling my tank or only giving myself enough of a portion to get me by?

Well, friends, my selection of devotionals spoke to this subject for me today:

Jesus Calling~

“Let me help you get through this day. The challenges you face are far too great for you to handle alone. You are keenly aware of your helplessness in the scheme of events you face.”

Closet to God Each Day~

“Patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that manifests itself in a calm, positive attitude despite our life circumstances. Don’t think you can solve all your problems or over come difficulties on your own.”

So, to face my each and every day, I need the Lord to help me…I need to tap into His strength and resources…I need to let the Holy Spirit manifest itself in me.

But how, right??

It is so hard to LET GO AND LET GOD, isn’t it?

It is even harder to stop and refuel when we are so very depleted….that normally is when we feel we have zero control on our time…so how could we possibly stop?

These are the days I would be late to work if I stopped to get gas because my low fuel light came on…but yet I know I need the stinking gas.

So what do we do?

Stop and be late for work?

Push it as far as we can, hoping we don’t run out?

Plan better next time??

1 Samual 30:4-9 tells of David and his men discovering their camp had been ransacked with their wives and families being carried off as prisoners.

David and his men had left them unattended- leaving the camp vulnerable to invasion.

David’s men blamed him for these events because he was their leader..if it were not for him then this would not have happened.

They were exhausted, furious, frantic , and looking for blood- they figured David’s would suffice.

Verse 6 says that David was strengthened and encouraged in God; that he strengthened himself with trust in the Lord.

He stopped what he doing and sought wisdom from God over how to handle this situation.

His men wanted to kill him.

His wives and children were missing as well as his men’s.

He was scared, exhausted, conflicted…

The 365 Most Important Bible Verses for Mother’s~

“You might have a reason to be emotionally drained, just like David…Life can be especially difficult…But after a time, you must gather your confidence and trust in God and encourage yourself. You might have to give yourself a time-out for reflection or rest. You might want to set the mood by playing worship music [while doing specific tasks]. As you strengthen yourself, you will also strengthen [others].”

Sometimes, even the best planners have their tanks suddenly and unexpectedly alarm that it is almost empty…

Other times, we can see ahead where we may run low if we don’t plan in advance…and we still don’t get the gas while other days we do.

Either way, the solution is the same~we go to the source of fuel eventually.

If you only have $10 and 2 minutes then do what you can with what you’ve got because you have to have fuel to move…Take note in knowing there will be time to stop for more later.

The end of David’s story is that he asked God what to do- should he take his tired, weary, and angry men to try to recapture their families or not?

The answer was an emphatic “YES, GO DO IT!”

So he commanded his men again as their leader and led them into battle to retrieve what was most precious to them.

He suddenly had the energy to do what needed to be done because he went to the source to recharge him, give him vison and clarity, and to empower him.

Personally, I have been struggling with needing to refuel more often than ever before…Every day presents a new challenge- some that are predictable and others that I couldn’t see coming even with a crystal ball.

I am often “emptied”- if I am lucky its at the end of the day but more lately its been happening midday.

Not cool when there is much to be done in these 24 hours.

Let me know if you agree- I feel frustrated, discouraged, weepy (ugh-the worst!), tired in those moments.

So what do I do?

I have said this 1000 times~ I am as normal a person as anyone else…

I keep going is what I do.

I do what I know to do.

I go where I know to go.

I get up early and read my Bible.

I turn my Jesus-music on LOUD.

I ask my friends to pray for me.

I cry.

I nap.

I go to Costco and get.more.stinking.gas.

And keep driving.