During the Cold War, the Strategic Air Command operated 24 hours a day as a shield of protection for our nation. This meant that at any point in a given day, there were fully combat-configured bombers flying to assure the safety of our nation.
Since these planes flew constantly, how did they remain full of gas? They did what is called mid-flight refueling. A refueling plane actually flew up next to the Strategic Air Command plane, docked in, and filled the plane with gas.
As a pastor, you need to learn how to refuel your life in mid-flight. You can’t just hop off to a tropical island every time you get tired and discouraged. You have to keep going. You have to learn how to recharge yourself in the middle of your hectic lifestyle.
The fact is, it takes energy to do God’s will. What do you do when you run out of energy? Psalm 94:19 says, “Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer” (TLB).
I suggest that once a day, you should go outside in your yard, sit down, and just be quiet. I’m not talking about reading your Bible. You ought to read your Bible every day, but I’m talking about getting alone for five minutes a day and being completely silent. Ask God a question, and then just sit there and listen.
On days when I’m really stressed out from problems and crises, I go home knowing that when I walk through my front door I’ll be greeting a wife who also has problems and issues and who also needs me.
Often when I’ve had a really hectic day I will walk up to the front door and not go in. I’ll just stand there for a minute, before my wife knows I’m home, and take a few deep breaths. I’ll stand there and decompress for a minute. We used to have this big old milk container that sat outside the front door, and I used to call it my worry jug. I’d stand there and imagine putting all my worries in the jug so I wouldn’t take them into the house with me.
Learn to take little mini-breaks during the day. When you feel your pressure rising, just stop and say, “God, I want to tune in to you again. I want to focus in on you.” I’m not suggesting 30 minutes of meditation. I’m talking about 15 or 20 seconds. Just little mini-breaks where you stop and be quiet.
Inevitably, it’s tough to live God’s plan for your life. You start getting distracted. You start having discouragement. You start to doubt. And you start to coast. And when you coast, you start heading downhill.
Discouragement leads to doubt. How do you defeat doubt? You remember three things:
- I remind myself of God’s goodness yesterday. I make a list of all the things he’s done in my life, and I just start being thankful. The attitude of gratitude is the healthiest emotion that you can have.
- I remember God’s presence today. I remind myself that he’s with me right now. I’m not alone. Even when I feel like I’m completely alone, I’m not. I’ve just forgotten that he’s there with me.
- I remind myself of God’s promises for tomorrow. There are thousands of promises for us in the Bible. Each one is something I can claim in faith.
God’s goodness yesterday, God’s presence today, God’s promises tomorrow. I don’t need to doubt. I don’t need to be discouraged. I don’t need to be distracted. I can renew myself daily.
If you want to last over the long haul of ministry, you have to learn how to recharge yourself spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally. Second Corinthians 4:16 says, “For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day” (GNT).
Figure out what renews you. Make a list of the things that keep you going, the things that re-energize you. Then do those things over and over.
Here’s an easy formula to remember: Divert daily, withdraw weekly, abandon annually. Know what relaxes you and what recharges you spiritually, physically, mentally—and do it.
Hi, Pastor. It’s so nice to know that you just made my day again. May our good God anoint you always with the Holy Spirit to bless a lot of souls just like what you did to mine.
Yaa I also need to refuel my life. Start now or never!!!
This is great thank you Pastor Rick Warren. I am blessed sir.
I’m greatly encouraged. Great insight. I need learn and practice taking time off during course of day and to focus on God. Thank you Pastor Rick.
“quiet me and give me renewed hope”
I have to say thank you Pastor Rick Warren.
Alex C.
Hello Pastor Warren…I’ve been reading your books (Purpose Driven Life) and others including this one entitled, “How to Refuel Your Life in Mid-Flight.” I’m really impressed with your spiritual gift of teaching the words of truth. I’m a pastor of a small church here in Oahu of the Hawaiian islands and I’m just a starter. I’ve been trying to read the bible and understand it and interact with it and I’m slowly getting there, but it seems fragmented, kind of jumping around. I wonder if you could provide me a sort of guidance or an easy to understand approach and systematic way to learn the gospel and preach it effectively. I would greatly appreciate if you could guide me through some resources. I would very happy to purchase those that you recommend.
Dear Pastor Rick,
I want to thank you so much for the encouragement today.This is exactly what i need to hear.I am diagnose with ALS and i tried not to think about it.The doctor told me how long ALS patient live but i am relaying on God to heal me. My doctor told me that there is no cure for ALS,but i told myself that God can.I listen to your message everyday and read the Bible that keeps me going.I turned my worries over to God and i am worry free now. my concerned is that, I don’t want to be a burden to my family,that they have to take care of me.Please pray for me.
Thank you so much.Blessings to you and your family and ministry.
please keep on sending for more articles.
I’m very grateful.
I love it is very powerful and it has rekindled my spirit.
God bless you
Greatly appreciate this article it is very encouraging
God’s goodness yesterday, God’s presence today, God’s promises tomorrow!
Great revelational knowledge of God’s faithfulness to man. Wonderful
A wonderful encouragement! So needed this. Thank you.
So practical yet we often seek complicated rituals that only gives more load to our burdens.
De gran bendicion este comentario, la nesecidad de recargarme. Gracias Pastor Rick
Thank you Pastor!!
Thank you for this reminder. I needed this. Especially your suggestion to get alone for five minutes a day and being completely silent. To ask God a question, and then just sit there and listen. Will be very helpful.
Your message really are empowering me, I learn new things every day from you , may God richly bless you.
Praying for your health, Pastor Rick.
Thank you, Pastor Rick, for your timly reminder. Keep praying for your health. May God give you strength and relief your pain. Amen!
Always solid help.
Thank you so much for this inspiring article, Pastor Rick. God bless you, your family and your ministry.
Thanks my spiritual mentor God has made you a blessing and you are a blessing to me and to the people whom i have introduce your books to. Remain blessed sir Amen
Fantastic article on “How to Refuel Your Life in Mid-Flight”. Excellent insight – really helpful. Thank you Rick!
I needed to hear this in more ways then one. At times I feel I carry to much on my shoulders and just want to walk away from what God designed me for. The funny part of this is, I go to the Caribbean or Bahamas to get away!!!! Felt like this article was heaven sent. Thank you Pastor Rick.
Thank you Pastor Rick. This is a much needed word.
Please pray for healing of my salivary glands. I can hardly talk; much pain.
Thank you Pastor Rick. appreciate your accurate insight and advise, take care.
Pastor Rick,
Thank you a lot for this helpful teaching.