I am a Christian but still feel empty...

I feel like I am a strong Christian, but still feel empty inside. How do I get filled up with God?

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There could be several ways to look at this question. First of all, like my broken cup illustration, are there any hurts from the past that you haven't given over to God for healing? If so, then that would be the place to start.

If not, then I would ask another question.

Before I ask that question I'll explain an illustration that makes sense to me. It's as if we have two "engines" that we can fill each day. We will either choose to fill the engine of the flesh and its desires or the engine of the Spirit. We'll fill one or the other and if we don't intentionally choose one, we'll by default run off the engine of the flesh. So, my question would be.....are you filling the engine of the flesh or the engine of the Spirit each day?

Ephesians 6:7b-9 says, "A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

So, for example, there were certain days in the past where I decided to just take in whatever TV show I wanted, look at fashion magazines for hours, and thought a lot about my outward appearance etc. Since I was filling the engine of my flesh, I found myself feeling more empty inside. But, on the days that I decide to spend some quality time with God reading His Word and talking and listening to Him in prayer I tend to fill more satisfied and filled up. Does that make sense?

Some other verses I like are Jeremiah 17:5-8. I changed it to from he to she to make it more applicable to use girls :)

5 This is what the LORD says:
"Cursed is the one who trusts in man (human strength),
who depends on flesh for her strength
and whose heart turns away from the LORD.

6 She will be like a bush in the wastelands;
she will not see prosperity when it comes.
She will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
in a salt land where no one lives.

7 "But blessed is the girl who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.

8 She will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit."

It was like God was showing me that when I would choose to fill my "engine of the Spirit", I would be like that tree planted by the water. No matter what circumstances happened in my life....no matter if it there was heat or a year of drought...I would be filled up....my leaves would always be green and never fail to bear fruit. I still don't make the perfect choices and still have days that I decide to run off the engine of the flesh versus the engine of the Spirit. But, I'm growing and seeing God begin to fill and satisfy me more and more.

Psalm 90:14 says, "Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." I love that thought. Being filled up by God so that I'm running on Him and not on me, my flesh! Satisfied, that's what I want!

There are different ways to connect with God, to feel close with Him and get "filled up" so to speak. What I realize is that I need to come to him everyday. For instance, I woke up today feeling kind of empty again. So, it is a daily process of allowing God to fill you. Some days you won't "feel" like spending time with God. Kind of like some days I don't "feel" like being with my husband. On those days I choose to love CJ even though my feelings don't feel it. It's the same way with God.

I have a bunch of ideas of how to connect with God on my website here: https://www.teen-beauty-tips.com/connect-with-god.html

There are many different ways to connect with God and I would encourage you to find the one that helps you feel closest to Him. For me, it's prayer walks. For one of my friends she closes her bedroom door, turns on worship music and dances before God. That's how she feels closest to God. For some, it's being in nature. So, everyone is different. I've found that journaling really helps too. You'll also need to take in God's Word as part of listening to God and these should give you some ideas!

Praying for you,
~Shelley