Refueling Stations for the Soul

Do you sometimes feel like you are running on fumes? God, in His All Knowing and majestic wisdom foresaw these seasons in life and set up re-fueling stations for us to get that re-charge and boost to keep us going full steam ahead, to enjoy the life He has given us in Christ and fulfill purpose.

1. Pray!

Luke 5:16 But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray [in seclusion].

God Himself will strengthen and re-new those who earnestly pray to Him. We see these many times through out the Bible. One such example is Jesus praying on the Mount of Olives.

Luke 22:41-43 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.

2. Worship.

Worship knits our heart to God’s heart.

Singing songs of praise and worship to God brings us into His presence, and in His presence there is life!

Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

3. Be intentional and deliberate about your physical body: Eat and sleep.

When Elijah was just spent out, tired, exhausted and burnt out after that great miraculous time on the mountain, did God say he was being of little faith? No, God did not even reprimand him, because the God who made us and understands our human frailties. We do not yet have a glorified heavenly body, so in this earthy body, we need rest, and we need nourishment. Both physical and spiritual refreshing. God said to Elijah, eat and sleep. When is the last time you took a break to really rest? Jesus often went to a quiet place alone to rest and refuel. Away from the crowds or congregation and away from the disciples or family and close friends. He did this how frequently? Was it only once in His ministry? No, it was often.

1 Kings 19:5-7 Then Elijah lay down under the bush and went to sleep. An angel came to him and touched him. The angel said, “Get up and eat!” Elijah looked around, and by his head there was a cake that had been baked over coals and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then went back to sleep. Later the Lord’s angel came to him again, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat! If you don’t, you will not be strong enough to make the long trip.”

4. Dwell in God’s Word.

To dwell is to remain, to live in and not just visit occasionally.

Psalm 19:7 says the law of the Lord is perfect and flawless, restoring, reviving and refreshing the soul. When we read God’s Word the Bible, when we meditate on it and are careful to obey it, we are renewed daily.

5. Cultivate friendships and spend time with friends that build you up in the Lord, and also be that kind of friend to others.

Proverbs 27:9-10 TPT Sweet friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy, for good friends are like the anointing oil that yields the fragrant incense of God’s presence. So never give up on a friend or abandon a friend of your father— for in the day of your brokenness you won’t have to run to a relative for help. A friend nearby is better than a relative far away.

6. Receive God’s mercy.

Just receive it! Jesus paid the price. As long as you are in Jesus, you are entitled to God’s mercy. It may seem too good to be true, you may feel like you do not deserve it, and this is true. There is nothing we can ever do to earn God’s mercy, that is why we must receive it by faith through Christ Jesus. When we receive God’s mercy, we are refueled and refreshed because God’s mercies are new every morning.

7. Encourage yourself in the Lord.

You have heard the Bible verse that says David encouraged himself in the Lord. But what does it even mean? How can you apply it to your everyday life? Encouraging yourself in the Lord means drawing closer to God in times of need or distress. David encouraged himself when his camp had been raided; the wives and children of his army men had been taken captive, including his own. Any regular person would have fallen apart, but David was no regular person, he was a man after God’s own heart. If you love the Lord and your heart is set on pleasing Him, then you are like David and are also able to encourage yourself in the Lord. This basically means to remind yourself of who God is, how powerful God is, how He has saved you from impossible situations before and will do it again and again.

What I find striking is that David encouraged himself, he did not wait for the Priest to encourage him, for his friends or companions. HE encouraged and strengthened himself. Sometimes, there will not be anyone to encourage us, we must rise to the occasion and encourage ourselves in the Lord. And the best tool we can use for this is the Word of God. We must daily store up God’s Word in our hearts so that it is ready to work for us in times of discouragement.

1 Samuel 30:6. Further, David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all of them were embittered, each man for his sons and daughters. But David felt strengthened and encouraged in the LORD his God.

David was not embittered towards God, nor did he ask God how He could allow something like this to happen to him yet he had faithfully served God. Instead, David separated himself and inquired of the Lord. He asked God how to respond, what should he do? God answered him. God will always answer those who call on Him.

This is what God answered: and David asked the LORD, “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” The LORD replied to him, “Pursue them, for you will certainly overtake them and rescue the people.” 1 Samuel 30:8

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With people [as far as it depends on them] it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

8. Thanksgiving.

Giving thanks to God for who He is takes our eyes and mind off ourselves and whatever maybe bothering us, allowing us to focus on the Almighty God. This gives us renewed strength because we are reminded of who God is and what he can do.

Thanksgiving also brings to the forefront all that God has done for us in the past, what He is doing right now in our lives and gives us renewed faith for what He is set to do in the future. Thanksgiving refreshes the soul!

Psalm 100 Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

9. Some other things include being out in the sunshine, talking a walk, singing, laughing, a hug, and encouraging words like “you are doing a great job”, “I’m thankful for you”, “ I love you”, these things refill us and make us less prone to nasty emotions like anger, snappy words, short temper, sadness or depression.

Proverbs 25:11. Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances.