By Christine Greyling
Have You Ever Been in a “Running Out” Season in Your Journey with God?
Have you ever been in a season in your journey with God where you are facing a scenario of running out? It could be a number of things – you may be running out of strength, perseverance, patience, finances, coping strategies, friendships or relationships, the ability to cope. You could have a very serious deadline looming that you cannot seem to meet no matter how hard you try, or you have a sickness, and the doctors are warning you that time is running out.
You may be watching this scenario unfold in your life – almost as if you are having an out-of-body experience and you have no idea what to do, where to go or what recourse you have. Does it feel like praying about it is not making a difference to the situation, or maybe you are too anxious to pray, and you are trying to sort it out in your own strength? Is this running out situation allowing discouragement, despair, exhaustion or disillusionment set in?
Could “Running Out” Be Part of God’s Plan?
Have you ever considered that this desperate scenario you are facing is something that God has divinely allowed into your life? We love to think we are in control of our life and our circumstances, we are behind the steering wheel, and even though we say we trust God and rely on Him, “Running Out” seasons can be a strong reminder of how not in control we really are. Being in a scenario of “Running Out” is commonplace in the Word of God and is also generally the precipice to crossing over to something divinely prepared for us.
Let us look at a few examples from the Word of God to provide us with encouragement in a season of running out.
David and the Showbread: Running Out of Provision
David anointed as the future King of Israel is on the run from King Saul, and him and his men or living almost as nomads, running and camping out and being all over the place. There comes a time where David and his men are not just facing a situation where they are running and fighting for their lives, but they literally run out of bread and food for sustenance. In 1 Samuel 21:1–6 David asks the priest in the temple for the anointed bread because they had literally run out of even food to eat. Being King of Israel must have been the last consideration on his mind at this time, he was just literally trying to survive, and he had the burden of looking out for those who were following him. David was running out and had to seek provision from places where generally you were not supposed to eat from (He was given Bread of the Presence—also known as the showbread—which was normally reserved only for priests), but he had no choice, he was running out.
Ruth and Naomi: Running Out of Everything
Let’s look at Ruth and Naomi. They lost everything – Ruth lost her husband and father-in-law, Noami lost her husband and all her sons. They came back to Israel and literally had nothing, Ruth had to walk behind the harvesters and pick up leftovers because they had nothing to live on, everything they had was lost and had run out. This practice of walking behind the harvesters was implemented for the poor and beggars of the day to at least have some access to the leftovers at harvest. This means that Ruth went from her home country to a new country and was at the same level as a beggar. She would go and harvest (or in today’s terms beg) and bring home whatever she was able to get for that day. They were living in survival mode.
Joseph in Prison: Running Out of Options
Let’s take a look at Joseph. Once the favourite son of his father, living in a well to do family, and then he gets betrayed and sold by his jealous brothers. When it looks like he is managing fine in Potipher’s house by working hard and honouring God (even as a slave), this wasn’t enough and he went from being part of a big family to a slave, and then a prisoner. Even in prison he was using his gifts to glorify God and help the prisoners, but this wasn’t even “enough” to get him out of his situation – the prisoners he helped (the baker and the cupbearer) didn’t seem to make any difference to his situation at the time. No matter how hard he tried – it seemed like things got worse and it just wasn’t “enough”. He ran out of options and sat in prison for another 2 years before breakthrough came.
The Wedding at Cana: Running Out of Wine
Then there was the wedding at Cana where Jesus performed His very first miracle. This was man and woman were literally just starting their lives together and were about to suffer a massive public embarrassment of running out of wine in front of all their guests. It would be something that would stick to them for a long time and would probably put a dark shroud of shame at the start of their lives as a married couple and something their family would be remembered by – for a very long time at least. Are you worried that your “running out” could lead to long lasting shame.
Feeling Like You’re Just Not Enough
You might feel like this—trying to get started or trying to finish—and you just don’t have enough. Enough provision, enough energy, enough time—just not enough. Or you may try and try, but it feels like it’s never enough. How often must Joseph have felt like this? How did David feel after running from Saul for so many years, completely running out? And Ruth, picking up leftovers day after day?
Running Out Is a Precipice to God’s Promises
Being in a scenario of “Running Out” is common in the Word of God and is generally the precipice to crossing over to something divinely prepared for us.
When you are in the thick of these situations, it can be extremely difficult to pause and look at the promises God has for your life. David, Joseph, Ruth, and the couple at Cana were all just trying to survive—and you might feel the same. You might be so tired of your reality that you feel like giving up, without realizing how close you are to something new breaking through.
Florence Chadwick: Running Out Before the Breakthrough
In 1952, Florence Chadwick set out to swim the 26-mile Catalina Channel to become the first woman to complete the swim and break the existing time record. After 15 hours in freezing water, exhausted and surrounded by thick fog, she couldn’t see the shore and gave up. When the fog lifted, she realized the coast was less than half a mile away. Some of you are about to give up without realizing how close you really are.
Take a minute to pause. Often, God allows us to run out completely before He steps in to do the unimaginable, opening new doors, new breakthroughs, and fulfilling promises. It’s not because of our efforts or talents, but because God is working on our behalf.
Jesus Is Always Present
The married couple at Cana had one difference from any other couple in the same situation—Jesus was there. The disciples in the storm had one advantage—Jesus was there. Your “running out” isn’t a sign of doom; it’s a sign that a new beginning is just around the corner, bigger and better than you could imagine. Embrace the emptying out—it’s making space for something new.
Florence Chadwick’s Secret: Faith Over Fear
When Florence Chadwick first tried the Catalina Channel, she faced thick fog, freezing water, and defeat. Just a mile from shore, she gave up. Two months later, she returned with fresh determination. She finished the 26-mile swim and broke the record by over two hours. Her secret? She kept the shoreline in her mind, focusing on the finish, choosing faith over fear and persistence over doubt.
If you’ve mentally checked out, it’s time to get up, keep going, and keep Christ’s promises in your mind’s eye every day. Watch how God comes through in ways you never imagined.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame.
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