Danger Of Feeling Depleted

Journaling has been a therapeutic way for me to get out feelings, thoughts and be reflective. God always speaks through me as I journal, leaving me with much needed revelation. Through the years, what I write about in my journals have varied based on my seasons. I’ve journaled when I had a full heart and was heartbroken, from a place of hope and a place of brokenness. My source of therapy, reflection and “checking myself” comes in the form of journaling. When I feel off, I can often return to my own words within my journals to revisit revelations that are reminders of what I need for returning to a stable state of peace. Journaling and reflecting on past journals has been literally life saving for me during times that I felt depleted.

There’s been times when I’ve received such revelation from God while journaling that I have wondered what I would do if I didn’t have a way to hear his voice so clearly. I wondered what I would turn to if I was in a space where I felt depleted and didn’t have a way to get back on track or hear Gods voice.

It's hard to find a way to have peace, contentment or happiness when in a season of feeling depleted. While for me, the answer is journaling, it may be something different for someone else. It may take time to find what your go to is, but even if you never find it, we all have access to the source of peace, contentment and happiness in Jesus. We can’t wait until we are depleted to seek God, because in all honesty, we may struggle during those times in areas of faith. When I’m hurt and depleted I can admit that there are times that it is hard for me to pray. I can remember being in a season where I lacked hope. One day while journaling, I wrote about having no hope for what I struggled to continue to pray for, and felt my spirit speak “all you need is a mustard seed”. God reminded me in that moment of Matthew 17:20 and to ask myself if I at least had a mustard seed of hope to cling to while feeling hopeless and depleted. reminded me to have even a mustard seed of faith. That verse became my mantra during that season until my mustard seed grew to faith large enough to move a mountain. If I didn’t already have that verse stored up, I would have remained feeling depleted and lacking hope. Its important to have the word stored in your heart for the Holy Spirit to speak it to you when you feel depleted.

Even if you don’t have a method like journaling, store up his word by continuing to build up a collection of verses so that the holy spirit can speak them to you when you feel depleted. I’ve been depleted to the point before where even praying and opening the Bible is challenging. During those times, the Holy Spirit whispered the right verses and words to me because I had them stored bring to remembrance.

Depression, suicidal thoughts, unhealthy behaviors, relationships, habits and even negative thinking often come from a place of feeling depleted. They can start as a result of circumstances such as heartbreak, disappointment, loss, low self-esteem, lack of purpose or an unexpected life change. When in these spaces, finding a way “out” or seeing the light can be difficult. Take time to store up verses so that when hit with life’s challenges or changes, you already have the words to turn to when depleted.

If you don’t have any verses stored up, here are a few to start with:

Hurry with your answer, God! I’m nearly at the end of my rope. Don’t turn away; don’t ignore me! That would be certain death. If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice, I’ll go to sleep each night trusting in you. Point out the road I must travel; I’m all ears, all eyes before you. Save me from my enemies, God— you’re my only hope! Teach me how to live to please you, because you’re my God. Lead me by your blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland.

When Overwhelmed:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28 NIV)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time." (Psalm 34: 18-19)

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. " (2 Timothy 1:7 AMP)

" He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20 NIV)

"Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God." (Philippians 4:6 AMP)

"But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8 ESV)