Spirit on E: How to Know You Need a God Refill

In the Midst of a Crowd

It hit me standing there during a fire drill—surrounded by people, but somehow feeling lost and alone. Alarms blaring, coworkers making small talk, and yet I felt oddly hollow. That’s when I knew: I’m running on empty. Not the kind of tired that a nap or a weekend can fix, but a deeper weariness that pressed in: ‘You need more of God.’

The truth? My day looked perfectly normal. I made it to work (a little late, but still), handled emails, took calls, showed up for others. But underneath all the motion, my spirit was stretched thin. It was a wake-up call I didn’t see coming—but one I couldn’t ignore.

The Subtle Burnout You Can’t See Coming

The thing about spiritual depletion? It doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Sometimes, it’s just a string of small moments: pushing to leave on time but always running behind, scrolling mindlessly instead of praying, feeling invisible even when you’re “with” people. Today, all of that showed up for me.

As Isaiah 40:31 reminds us, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.” When we don’t stop to anchor ourselves in Him, we keep moving, but we lose the ability to truly soar.

My fire drill moment was just the tip of the iceberg. Underneath the normalcy, my soul was waving a red flag: “You can’t keep living on leftovers.”

When Productivity Tricks You Into Thinking You’re Okay

I checked off my boxes today: work done, people supported, even managed to grab a quiet lunch at my desk. And yet… something was missing. A whisper inside asked, “Is this really all?”

We fool ourselves sometimes into thinking that as long as we’re functioning, we must be fine. But as Oswald Chambers said, “Prayer does not equip us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” That truth hit me square between the eyes. I’ve been busy—faithful, even—but I haven’t been fully plugged in.

The scariest thing? You can keep moving at full speed while your spirit’s quietly gasping for air.

God’s Breadcrumbs: Beauty That Stops You

Here’s what God does, though: He leaves us breadcrumbs. Little signs to remind us He’s near, even when we’re distracted. For me, that moment was a dandelion on my walk to the parking lot. It caught the light just right, and I had to stop. My camera came out, and I knelt down, drawn to its fragile beauty.

My boss, walking behind me, commented, “You’re really serious about your photography.” I laughed, but I felt something deeper: this was God whispering, “I’m here. I see you. Slow down.”

Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Sometimes, it’s not the skies—it’s a single, golden dandelion that calls you back to center.

Soul Insights

1.) Catch the Early Warnings

We rarely notice the drift when it starts. It sneaks in—through busyness, distraction, and emotional flatness. But God is faithful to send us signals. Don’t dismiss those small nudges: the unexpected loneliness, the rising irritability, the nagging emptiness. Those are holy alarms. Pay attention.

2.) Prayer Can’t Be a Backup Plan

Here’s my confession: Lately, I’ve been driving my life with prayer in the trunk. I pull it out when I hit a bump, but it’s not steering my days the way it should. And let’s be real: without prayer, everything else is just noise. Corrie ten Boom asked, “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” I know which one I want it to be moving forward.

3.) The Sacred in the Small Things

God is not confined to church services or big revelations. He’s speaking all the time—in office corridors, through coworkers’ laughter, in the quiet snap of a photo. Brother Lawrence said it best: “There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God.” The ordinary is often His favorite canvas.

4.) Presence > People-Pleasing

Today reminded me: I can be surrounded by people and still feel disconnected if I’m not deeply connected to God first. Community is beautiful, but it can’t replace intimacy with Jesus. Only He can meet that deep-down need for belonging and purpose.

5.) Obedience Refills the Tank

Spiritual emptiness isn’t failure—it’s an invitation. John 15:5 hits hard: “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” Truth is, we can do plenty apart from Him… but none of it lasts, and none of it satisfies. The way back is simple but hard: obedience. Choosing to show up in prayer, again and again, until the overflow returns.

Final Thoughts: God Is Waiting at the Well

Nothing about today was catastrophic. And maybe that’s what makes it more sobering: emptiness can creep in when life is fine. But here’s the grace: God is always, always ready to refill us. We just have to come. If your spirit feels dry or tired right now, don’t wait for a breakdown moment to turn around. God’s invitation is on the table, every single day: “Come to Me… and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Your Turn: Refuel with Me This Week

Let’s stop living on empty. I’m committing to deepening my prayer life this week—no excuses, no shortcuts. Will you join me? Take 5 minutes today to be still, pray, and listen. Then share in the comments or message me: what’s the one thing you’re lifting up to God right now? Let’s hold each other accountable—and remind each other we were made to live full.

Soul Path Insights