Do you ever feel like giving up? I know I do. But that is usually when I’m focused on my feelings, rather than the facts.

My feelings — and yours — are unreliable because they change  all the time. Our feelings are influenced by our circumstances, our moods, and our hormones. And so, our feelings should never be left unchecked, or be the cause for our major decisions. We should, instead, rely on the facts — which never change.

Take a look at what happened when one songwriter decided to focus on the facts, rather than how he was feeling.

In Psalm 6 we find David, the songwriter,  emotionally down and physically spent. He is feeling discouraged, defeated, and overwhelmed  because so many people are after him. Physically, he’s wasting away. He’s been running from his enemies too long and he’s exhausted. Spiritually, he’s dismayed and thinking God has forgotten him. Emotionally, he’s depressed and feeling ready to give up. Talk about running on empty!

Listen to where he is, physically, and emotionally:

“Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint;

O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony.

My soul is in anguish.

How long, O LORD, how long?

I am worn out from groaning….” (Psalm 6:2-3, 6a)

Do you ever feel that way? I do. When I’m over-extended, and I’ve pushed myself beyond the limits and I’m feeling physically and emotionally run down.

David, here, is pretty focused on his feelings, but then he must start  focusing on the facts to bring him out of his depressed and run-down state. Look at what happens when he starts to remember the facts about God:

“Away from me, all you who do evil,

for the LORD has heard my cry for mercy;

            The LORD accepts my prayer.

All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed;

They will turn back in sudden disgrace.” (verses 8-10)

What caused the dramatic shift in how David felt? He remembered the facts and  got his focus. It wasn’t about how he was feeling. It was about the God who was going to take care of him. When he remembered the facts about God, his feelings waned and he got the energy and confidence he needed to get through his situation.

You, my friend, may feel rundown and defeated, too, like you can’t do one more thing. But the fact is that you can do “everything through him who gives (you) strength” (Phil. 4:13).

You may feel you’re up against a no-win situation, but the fact is that “…with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26)  and “Everything is possible for him who believes” (Mark 9:23).

You may feel like you’re at the end of your rope and you can’t do one thing more, but the fact is that “those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary (Isaiah 40:31).

By waiting on God (that doesn’t take a lot of energy, by the way), you’ll gain new strength to rise up, walk and even run.

I know my prayers often start out in self- pity:  “God, this isn’t fair.”  “God, I just can’t do all this.” “God, I’m worn out and I just need a break.”  But as I realize Who it is I’m addressing, I’m reminded of what He’s capable of and my pleas turn into praise: “God, I  can’t do this, but You can. You are all-capable. You put the sun and stars into place, surely You can work out this situation, too. God, I’m weak, that’s for sure, but You are so strong.”

When we get past our feelings and focus on the facts (of the situation and God) it puts us into proper perspective. So, when our feelings lead us down a dark tunnel of despair, we must switch on the light of what we know about God to direct us back out.

Keep your focus, my friend, (and keep from running on empty) by acting on the facts, not your feelings.