What to Reach For When You’re Running on Empty
Ever feel like you’re running on fumes before the day even starts?
You’ve prayed (barely), poured the cereal, changed the diaper, packed the lunch, refereed three arguments before 9 AM, and you still have a full day ahead.
And somewhere in between wiping counters and wiping tears, your soul starts whispering, “I can’t do this today.”
I’ve been there, too many times to count.
And what I’ve learned is this: when you’re feeling spiritually drained, emotionally exhausted, and mentally overloaded, you need something to reach for.
That’s where a spiritual survival kit comes in. It’s not fancy or complicated. It’s simply a set of go-to tools to help ground your faith and remind you that you’re not walking through this alone.
It’s something you return to again and again, not to “fix” everything, but to reconnect with the One who can carry what you can’t.
So, what exactly is a spiritual survival kit?
Think of it like this: in a real emergency, we reach for the essentials—things that help us feel safe, steady, and supported. Spiritually, the same is true.
When life feels like too much, we need faith-filled tools to anchor us and remind us of God’s truth.
Here are three simple, powerful essentials to include in your spiritual survival kit for the hard days:
1. A Bank of God’s Promises
When you’re overwhelmed, your mind can start to spiral, filling up with lies like “I’m not doing enough,” “I’m failing,” or “I can’t keep up.” In those moments, you need truth you can hold on to. And there’s nothing more steadying than the promises of God.
Here are a few to keep close:
- Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
- Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
- Deuteronomy 31:8 – “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Write these down. Save them in your phone. Post them on your bathroom mirror. Let them remind you that God sees you, hears you, and walks with you, even on the days that feel like too much.
Read this next: 37 Powerful Bible Verses About Leaning on God for Help
2. A Calming Corner
When we moved into our new home, one of the first things I set up for my daughter was a calming corner, a quiet space where she could go when her emotions started to feel too big. And somewhere along the way, I realized I needed one too.
As moms, we pour out all day long. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is pause and breathe.
Your calming corner doesn’t have to be a whole room. It can be a chair by the window, a seat at the kitchen table with your Bible and a cup of tea, or even a few quiet minutes in your parked car before heading into the house.
The location doesn’t matter, it’s the intention behind it. A place where you can slow down, say a prayer, speak a truth, or simply be still.
Give yourself permission to go there when you feel yourself unraveling. That pause might be the most sacred part of your day.
3. A Faith-Filled Friend
Every mom needs someone. Someone she can call when the weight is too heavy. Someone who won’t judge when you say, “I’m not okay.” Someone who will pray with you, speak life over you, or even just make you laugh when everything feels like too much.
If you already have that person, lean in. Don’t wait until you’re drowning to reach out. If you don’t have someone like that yet, pray for God to send her. And be open. She might be another mom at church, a neighbor, or even someone you haven’t talked to in a while who knows what it’s like to carry more than she shows.
God never intended for us to do motherhood, or life, alone.
Before You Go, Mama…
This spiritual survival kit isn’t a checklist to “fix” your life. It’s a reminder that you are not alone in this journey.
God sees you. He’s with you. And He’s given you tools—His Word, His presence, and His people—to help you through.
So the next time you feel like you’re running on empty, pause. Go back to your kit. Open your Bible. Sit in your calming corner. Call your friend. Let grace meet you right where you are.
Because mama, God hasn’t forgotten you. He’s walking this road with you, and He’ll give you exactly what you need every step of the way.