Main Thought

Most of us know what it’s like to feel drained, or emotionally exhausted. Great or prolonged stress can cause us to feel trapped, powerless, or hopeless. We may become frustrated with the people around us more easily. That makes it hard for us to love. But Jesus can teach us how to love well, even when we’re drained. If we find ourselves surrounded by those who need us, it can help to shift our focus from our needs to their needs for a time. This can help us escape a downward spiral of negativity. Taking moments to pause and “look up to heaven” - even if those moments need to be brief - can allow our hearts to recalibrate and find relief in God before we return to the tasks-at-hand. We may also need to make a conscious decision to bless, not curse, people around us. We bless people when we adopt an attitude of love, pray for them, or desire good for them. Finally, as soon as we’re able, we should rush to find rest in our God. Jesus prioritized personal, quiet time with the Father and went to great lengths to experience it. We can learn from His example. If we do these things, then we’ll eventually discover that God meets our needs and multiplies our abilities.

Main Passages

13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

- Matthew 14:13-14

17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing…

- Matthew 14:17-19

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

- John 15:4-5

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Main Passages above?

2. Has anything caused you to feel emotionally exhausted recently? (Please share as much as your comfort and privacy allows.)

3. The four things we can learn from Jesus about loving well when we’re feeling drained are listed below.

   1. We can shift our focus from our needs to the needs of others.

   2. We can pause and look up.

   3. We can choose to bless.

   4. We can rush to rest in God.

   Which do you feel would be most helpful to you, and why? How can you implement it?