Emptiness is a difficult emotion to simply describe. It is that feeling you have not just when you are tired, but when you have given it everything you’ve got. Nothing remains, but it may not be just from physical fatigue. It’s more spiritual! When you feel spiritual empty, it’s like a piece of your soul is missing.
Here’s the good news; it’s perfectly normal for all Christians to experience seasons of spiritual and physical emptiness. Christianity is about having a relationship with God, and just as there are ebbs and flows in human relationships, there are times when we feel more spiritually empty than full. God in His omniscience knew that this would occasionally happen to us, and within the Bible, He has provided us insight on how to overcome that feeling of spiritual and physical emptiness.
That being said, over the last 5 months I know what it feels like to run on empty and I don’t think I’m the only one that has felt like this. Prior to accepting Christ, I was like many empty people with nothing to hope in (Eph. 2:12). Like the woman at the well they go from one object to the next, seeking fullness (John 4:15). Like Solomon they seek satisfaction in alcohol, sex, money, or accomplishments—only to discover it is like trying to grasp the wind (Ecc. 2:1-11). What empty and thirsty people need is the God who quenches their thirst (Is. 55:1-3).
Yes, the only solution to turn to is to allow our thirst to drive us to the only One who can fully quench it. It is turning from broken cisterns to the Fountain who alone can fill us.
Romans 5:13 says, ”May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
The OT psalmist confirmed this declaration in Pslam 81:10, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. “
God is always ready and He is always on standby waiting to quench our thirst. He desires that we not only prosper physically, but also spiritually. You see, our physical bodies and our spiritual, and mental, emotional health are all connected. We must ensure that we are feeding them nutritious foods, exercising them, and sleeping enough (1 Cor 6:19-20, 10:31 and 1 Tim 4:8).
As we feed our spirits, souls, and bodies, we will again become spiritually full and our desires will be for God’s Word: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). When we are working on overcoming our feelings of spiritual emptiness, it is important for us to remember that it is extremely beneficial to involve other born-again believers in our spiritual walks. As we participate in church services, Bible studies, or even one-on-one conversations with other Christians, we are encouraged and our faith is strengthened (Ephesians 3:14–19; Hebrews 10:24–25; Galatians 6:1–10; Romans 12:15).
I don’t know about you, but I am asking God to fill me until I overflow….glory to God, the Son, and Holy Spirit!
4GIVEN 