Doreen Wennberg
Blog

Have you ever had something happen over and over, that by the third or fourth time, you’re scratching your head and wondering what’s going on? Yep, that was me this past year—I had so many flat tires I lost count! From September to December, I think it was like FOUR, and then in January, I got another one. Sheesh! I mean before this, I think I got a flat in like once in ten years!  

These were brand-new tires, too, so it was annoying and a little inconvenient. Thankfully, my husband is always on hand when I need him. He’s a pro at switching out the spare, and it’s not expensive to plug a tire. However, it was getting a little daunting. The first time was inconvenient because I couldn’t go anywhere. The second time was really surprising—not AGAIN? My prayers were definitely heightened for safe travels and no nails, and then another one!

Each flat was from a nail or a screw, and it got so that I was walking around the car just to check before going anywhere.

I am thankful that these flats were always discovered in my driveway and not while driving on the road, mindful of God’s protection.

Still, by the fifth one, I was like, “Ok God, what’s going on here?” I thought to myself, what am I not seeing? Is He trying to show me something? Although exasperated, it got my attention. I ended up canceling a trip even though I wanted to go, I didn’t have peace. But was that it— in my experience, things like this aren’t always just for me!  And I thought, is there something else?

Deflate. Fill. Deflated. Refill. Deflating. Fill AGAIN! I sensed an analogy coming.

Just for fun, and because I write, I like to look up words—even if I already know the meaning.

The definition of Deflate, according to Oxford and Merriam Webster, says, “To let air or gas out of a tire or balloon.” Okay. The second one jumped out at me from Oxford, “cause someone to suddenly lose confidence or feel less important.” Okay. I’ve experienced that in the past, but that currently doesn’t resonate with me now.

So, then I got thinking about different things. Deflated led me to think about discouragement and the thought of a loss of motivation.

 I thought back to the flat tires—you’re stuck and unable to move. Okay. That resonated with me, feeling stuck and unable to move forward.

I could relate, as a writer, there are definitely times when I am stuck and can’t move forward on a project for one reason or another. A number of people I know currently are stuck and unable to move forward—some physically and some spiritually.

How about you? Are you deflated, stuck, or unable to move forward in or with something? 

What are some hindrances that keep us from progressing? For some, it’s a lack of discipline. Anxiety. Fear. Lack of confidence. Letting go. Negative self-talk. Procrastination. Resisting change. Perfectionism. Pessimism.

These are just a few roadblocks that can keep us from moving forward.

Like me, you may have experienced some of these. There are many areas where we can get stuck. We set out with good intentions on lots of things: eating right, exercising, clearing out clutter, and finishing what we start. Relationship ruts and growing in faith—these are just a few of the many areas I have seen people get stuck in, myself included.

Something I pray often is, Lord, empty me of myself and fill me with your Spirit.

How many of you know we need a continual refilling of the Holy Spirit?

We may know it, but do we do it? Do we ask on a daily basis, early in the morning, when we’re renewing our minds with God’s Word through reading and prayer? The power is not in S-E-L-F. The power comes from the Holy Spirit living within every child of God. If you’ve given your life to Christ, if you’ve been born again John 3:3, God’s Spirit lives in you. Romans 8:11

Acts 1:8 tells us we receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us, and we will be His witnesses.

But while we may have the Holy Spirit within, we can grieve Him through sin. And this is why we must have a daily confession and renewing of our mind, and ask Him to refill us.

Those who don’t even realize they’re spiritually stuck have been lured to sleep by the enemy’s tactics of false contentment in their normal routine. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 speaks of the spiritual and moral decay that will characterize the last days.

Indications for those who’ve let their faith deflate and aren’t relying on the Holy Spirit:

They once were worshippers, faithful church attenders. They served.

They hungered for God and His Word, and were eager to grow in spiritual things and understanding. They were on fire.

We can still be doing all those things—and deflate if we’re going through the motions. Where might you be deflated and stuck? Is it in something you set out to do, a relationship, or your walk with God? Where has your witness for Christ diminished?

Have you let your faith deflate, and your witness become worldly?

Ask God to show you, and ask Him to refill you. Let’s pray!

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the powerful reminders you give. You speak to us in many ways. Sometimes, we just aren’t listening because we get comfortable in our bad habits. Forgive us when we do that. Speak to us, show us where we are stuck, and help us look to you, for you are the only One who can help us. Please refill each of us anew with your Holy Spirit. Set us back on fire for you because this broken world desperately needs to see a better witness of the children of God. ~In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.