How God Turns Setbacks Into ComebacksSample

SUGAR That Refuels

Emotional exhaustion isn’t new. Just read the book of Lamentations. Jeremiah wrote it after Jerusalem had been captured and the Israelites were sent into exile. Everything Jeremiah held sacred had been destroyed.

He was emotionally exhausted, and throughout the book of Lamentations, Jeremiah expresses his frustrations, sadness, and anger to God.

But as he’s complaining, Jeremiah starts to refocus on God. He writes, “Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this” (Lamentations 3:21 NLT).

What brought Jeremiah hope during this extremely difficult time?

 “The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. Deep in my heart I say, ‘The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!’” (Lamentations 3:22-24 CEV).

Jeremiah refocused on five truths about God that helped him refuel.

• God’s Steadfast love
• God’s Unfailing mercy
• God’s Great faithfulness
• God is Always kind
• God is my Real hope

When life overwhelms you, don’t focus on your problems. Don’t give in to despair. Focus your attention on God.

The acronym above will help you remember the kind of SUGAR you need in order to refuel. And you won’t get a sugar high through it. It won’t make you gain weight. It won’t make you more depressed.

When you believe in the reality of God’s love, mercy, faithfulness, kindness, and offer of real hope, you’ll be prepared for whatever setback comes your way.

Talk It Over

How do you think you might have responded to a disaster like Jeremiah faced, where his home city had been destroyed and his people had been exiled? 

When you feel emotionally exhausted, which truth about God’s character from today’s devotional has the biggest impact on your well-being? Why? 

The next time you feel burned out, what are some ways you can remember to refocus on these five truths about God?

This devotional © 2019 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.