Lord, Why Do I Feel So Empty?

There are days when I sit down at the keyboard and just stare. Nothing comes. My mind is blank. My heart feels quiet—almost too quiet. And deep down, I know what it is. I feel empty. Worn thin. Dried out. It’s like all the pouring out I’ve done finally caught up with me, and now the well feels dry.

I’ve been doing the work. Showing up. Sharing truth. But somewhere in the middle of it all, I stopped letting the Lord fill me. Maybe I didn’t mean to. Maybe I thought I was still drawing from the right place. But now I know—I’ve been trying to pour from an empty cup.

The Lord spoke something like this to His people in Jeremiah 2:13. He said, “For My people have committed two evils: They have abandoned Me, the fountain of living waters, to carve out for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that do not hold water.” That’s a picture of a life that tries to do it on its own. A life that forgets where the true water comes from.

God never told me to be the well. He never asked me to fill anyone from my own strength. He’s the source. He’s the fountain. And when I wander from that fountain—even with good intentions—it doesn’t take long to run dry.

But even in the emptiness, there’s hope. The Lord says in Isaiah 55:1, “You there! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” That verse isn’t about physical food or drink. It’s about the spiritual nourishment only He can give. And He’s not selling it—He’s offering it freely. But we have to come. We have to admit we’re thirsty.

That’s where I’m at today. Just thirsty. And that’s not a bad thing, because only the thirsty come to the well. Only the empty reach out for the One who can truly fill.

So if you’re feeling like I am—dry, worn out, maybe even numb—don’t push harder. Don’t fake full. Just come. Don’t bring your effort. Bring your need. That’s what He wants. And He will fill it.

Because He always fills the cup that’s honest enough to admit it’s empty.

Psalm 51:12 says, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.” That’s my prayer today—and maybe it’s yours too.

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“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.” – Dean Butler

I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.

This work may be shared for ministry or personal use, but please credit the author when doing so. © Dean Butler – Dean’s Bible Blog. All rights reserved.

Please reach out at: hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.” (1 Timothy 1:12)