When We Run Out Of Steam

When we Run Out Of Steam

By José Maldonado

Have you ever hit a wall? I mean the kind of exhaustion that goes beyond being physically tired—the kind where your soul feels drained, your motivation is gone, and you don’t even know if you have anything left to give. I think we all have been there. And when we read about Elijah in 1 Kings 19, we can relate.

Elijah had just experienced one of the greatest victories of his life—calling down fire from heaven and proving that the Lord is God. But almost immediately after, fear took over, and he ran. He was exhausted, discouraged, and even told God he wanted to die. This was Elijah, a great prophet of God, yet here he was, completely spent and feeling like he had failed.

But God didn’t rebuke Elijah for his weakness. He didn’t say, “Get up and stop complaining.” Instead, He met Elijah in his exhaustion and gave him exactly what he needed: rest, food, and time. The Lord allowed Elijah to reset, to refuel, and to gain perspective. And once Elijah had his strength back, God called him back into the work he was meant to do.

I think about Elijah’s story when I read Paul’s words in Philippians. "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose." (Philippians 1:21-22 NASB). Paul had every reason to want to leave this world and be with Christ. He had been beaten, imprisoned, and persecuted for his faith. And yet, he recognized something important—if he was still here, it meant God still had work for him to do. His labor was not just about survival; it was about producing fruit.

That’s the lesson we can take from both Elijah and Paul: our work for God isn’t about just being busy—it’s about being fruitful. But here’s the hard part: we can’t produce fruit when we’re running on empty. Elijah had to stop and regain his strength before he could continue. Paul had to constantly draw from Christ as his source of endurance. And we have to do the same.

When we’re either in a season where we feel burned out, discouraged, or just plain tired or we feel like we’re doing everything right but not seeing the results we hoped for, we have to remind ourselves of something extremely important—God sees us. He knows our exhaustion, our frustration, our fears. And just like He did with Elijah, He’s not asking us to push through on your own. He’s inviting us to rest in Him, to let Him refuel us, and then to step forward again when we’re ready.

Paul reminds us that as long as we’re here, we have a purpose. Our labor isn’t just about checking off a to-do list—it’s about bringing Christ’s love into everything we do. But we can’t pour into others if we’re empty ourselves.
So, if you’re in a season of weariness, take Elijah’s example: rest, refuel, and let God meet you where you are. If you’re in a season of strength, take Paul’s example: work with purpose, knowing that as long as you’re here, there’s still fruit to be produced. Either way, we don’t walk this road alone.

This is a good way for us to start the day: Lord, You see when I am weary, discouraged, or just out of strength. Thank You for meeting me in those moments with Your grace. Help me to rest when I need to and to labor fruitfully when I am called to work. May everything I do be for Your glory, and may my life reflect You in all things. Amen.