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Can you love God, have faith, and still feel exhausted, discouraged, or completely empty? In “Running on Empty,” Pastor Chris Wirth teaches from 1 Kings 18–19 and looks at one of the most dramatic changes in Elijah’s story. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah boldly stands on Mount Carmel, calls on God, and watches fire fall from heaven. One chapter later, the same Elijah is afraid, isolated, exhausted, and sitting under a broom tree saying, “It is enough.” Same Elijah. Same God. Different season. So what happened? Sometimes the weight hasn’t changed—but the resources we have available to carry it have. Exhaustion can affect our focus, attitude, performance, and perspective. Being depleted does not necessarily mean you have lost your faith or that something is wrong with your relationship with God. Sometimes you’re simply running on empty. And look at how God responds to Elijah. He doesn’t begin by lecturing him. He gives him rest, food, water, and more rest. Why? Because Elijah’s story wasn’t over. There was still a journey ahead. Pastor Chris reminds us that the God who met Elijah in his boldness also met him in his brokenness. Our circumstances and needs may change, but God does not. This message explores: • Spiritual and emotional exhaustion • Discouragement after seasons of pouring yourself out • Isolation and burnout • Why rest is necessary • Creating margin in our schedules • Caring for our mental health proactively • Seeking help when we need it • Bringing God into our depleted seasons • Restoring our focus on Christ • Resting, recovering, and returning to what God has called us to do Psalm 23 says: “He restores my soul.” Maybe that is exactly what you need in this season. You may need rest. You may need margin. You may need healing. You may need help. But needing those things does not mean God is finished with you. Rest. Recover. Return. And remember: the strength was never yours to begin with. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” A note about mental health: This message includes discussion of depression, suicidal thoughts, and a past suicide attempt. If you or someone you know is struggling or needs immediate emotional support in the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 0:00 — Introduction | Let’s Talk About It 1:25 — 1 Kings 19:1–8 2:37 — Running on Empty 3:18 — A Question About “Spiritual Depression” 4:18 — Can Christians Go Through Difficult Mental Seasons? 5:11 — Tired, Exhausted, or Depleted? 6:53 — Elijah in 1 Kings 18 vs. 1 Kings 19 7:46 — What Happened Before Elijah Broke Down? 9:14 — Elijah vs. the Prophets of Baal 11:18 — God Sends Fire From Heaven 12:05 — From Victory to Running for His Life 13:03 — Same Elijah. Same God. Different Season. 13:42 — When You Wonder if Anything You Did Mattered 15:40 — God Meets Us in Our Brokenness 16:21 — The Danger of Isolation 17:06 — Struggling Does Not Mean You Abandoned Your Faith 17:27 — Same Weight, Different Resources 18:41 — Why Taking Care of Yourself Matters 19:02 — Why Muscles Need Rest 20:21 — Fatigue Changes Our Focus and Perspective 21:43 — Depletion Can Affect Your Focus 22:08 — You May Simply Be Running on Empty 23:06 — How God Responds When We’re Depleted 24:19 — Rest, Food, Water & More Rest 24:49 — God Is Not Done With You 25:10 — Elijah Wasn’t Lectured for Being Exhausted 26:14 — Sometimes You Need Rest Before Responsibility 26:35 — God Meets Different Needs in Different Seasons 27:08 — Don’t Run From God—Run to Him 27:54 — Elijah’s Story Wasn’t Over 28:23 — Psalm 23 | He Restores My Soul 29:15 — What Does Your Soul Need? 29:43 — Creating Margin in Your Life 30:45 — Healing, Trauma & Professional Help 31:29 — Prepare Before You’re Empty 32:04 — Caring for Your Mental Health Proactively 32:39 — Rest. Recover. Return. 33:53 — When Exhaustion Becomes Something More Serious 35:56 — Care for Yourself So You Can Care for Others 37:03 — Psalm 42 | Hope in God Again 37:52 — Mount Carmel or Under the Broom Tree? 38:21 — Needing Rest Does Not Mean Your Faith Is Broken 39:39 — Matthew 11:28 | Jesus Gives Rest 40:25 — The Strength Was Never Yours 41:00 — Take a Proactive Step This Week 41:24 — Invitation to Follow Jesus 42:12 — Baptism & Your Next Step 42:39 — Closing Prayer #PursueLifeChurch #RunningOnEmpty #1Kings19 #ChristianEncouragement #MentalHealth
Running on Empty | When Your Faith Feels Exhausted
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