Grit and Grace: Staying Connected to Jesus When You’re Running on Empty

1,414 words, 7 minutes read time.

Man sitting outdoors at dawn, reading the Bible and praying, reflecting on spiritual endurance and connection to Jesus.

Scripture

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:1–5 (NIV)

Full Devotional

There are seasons when I feel like I’m just showing up—doing what needs to be done, keeping commitments, holding my ground—but running on fumes. Life can strip a man down like winter does a vineyard, and all that’s left feels bare and brittle. Those are the days I think about Jesus’ words in John 15: “I am the vine; you are the branches.”

It’s a vivid image, not just poetry. A branch can’t will itself to bear fruit. It doesn’t “try harder.” It simply draws life from the vine. Everything—strength, growth, and fruit—flows through connection. Jesus says plainly, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NIV). That hits me like a hammer some days. Nothing. Not “less.” Not “almost enough.” Nothing.

That word “nothing” is easy to nod at in church, but hard to accept when you’re still showing up at work during the government shutdown—even though the next paycheck isn’t guaranteed. It’s humbling. And yet, maybe that’s the point. When Jesus told His disciples this, He wasn’t speaking to men on vacation. They were about to walk through fear, confusion, and loss. Staying connected wasn’t going to be about feelings—it was going to be about dependence.

When Your Faith Feels Thin

There’s a kind of fatigue that coffee can’t touch. It’s not physical. It’s the weariness of staying faithful when results don’t show up, when prayers feel unanswered, when life’s systems grind to a halt. I think about the thousands of volunteer hours I’ve invested over the past several years. Some organizations I served have quietly faded away. A few still flourish. It’s easy to feel like my effort hasn’t mattered, but John 15 reminds me that connection matters more than recognition.

Abiding isn’t about doing more for Jesus. It’s about staying close to Him—drawing from His life, not your own reserves. That’s grace: the life of God flowing through the worn-out soul of a man who’s got nothing left to prove. The grit comes from not giving up in the waiting. The grace comes from realizing you don’t have to do it alone.

Pruned, Not Punished

Jesus talks about pruning in that same passage:

“My Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (John 15:1–2, NIV).

It’s easy to confuse pruning with punishment. When life cuts deep—through delayed provision, unrecognized labor, or the slow decline of organizations you’ve helped build—it’s easy to think God’s against you. But pruning isn’t rejection. It’s refinement. The Vinedresser cuts so that life can flow freely again.

Sometimes the hardest seasons are the ones preparing you for fruit you can’t yet see. God doesn’t prune out of anger. He prunes out of love. That’s a hard truth to swallow when you’re standing in a field of cut branches. But He’s not destroying you—He’s removing what drains you. The very things that feel like loss might be what frees you to grow.

The Quiet Strength of Connection

Jesus doesn’t tell His followers, “Bear fruit for Me.” He says, “Remain in Me.” Fruit is the byproduct, not the assignment. The command is connection. When you focus on connection, the fruit takes care of itself. When you chase fruit, you lose both.

That truth runs against everything in us as men. We want to perform, produce, prove. We measure ourselves by results—how much we can provide, fix, or accomplish. But in the kingdom of God, growth isn’t measured by effort. It’s measured by intimacy.

That’s what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). You can’t fill yourself. You can only be filled—yield, surrender, open up. When you’re empty, God isn’t disappointed in you; He’s inviting you. He fills what’s surrendered, not what’s pretending to be full.

When You Feel Empty, Stay Connected

The temptation when we’re weary is to unplug—to withdraw, isolate, distract ourselves, or self-medicate. We scroll, numb out, or chase something that promises quick relief. But disconnection always makes the emptiness worse.

Jesus doesn’t shame you for feeling dry; He invites you to stay. “Remain in My love.” That’s what He said. Not, “Remain in My approval,” or “Remain in My performance metrics.” He said love. His love doesn’t fluctuate with your paycheck, your productivity, or your confidence.

So how do you “stay connected” when you feel disconnected? Sometimes it’s as simple as showing up in prayer when you don’t have words. Reading a Psalm out loud. Sitting still for five minutes and breathing the name of Jesus. Listening instead of talking. Letting the Word wash over you until your heart remembers what your head already knows: He’s still with you.

The Fruit That Lasts

Real fruit doesn’t show up overnight. It’s slow. It’s steady. It’s often invisible at first. But in time, connection always produces something living—patience, kindness, peace, endurance. These are the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), and they grow best in men who have stopped pretending they can do life on their own.

You can’t fake fruit. But you can foster it—by staying rooted when everything in you wants to quit. You don’t have to feel strong to be faithful. You just have to stay connected to the One who is.

If you’re running on empty today, don’t beat yourself up for it. Maybe you’re exactly where God can meet you. The Vine still holds. The life still flows. And in due season, the fruit will come.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, I come to You weary and running on empty. Help me to remain in You even when I feel unseen, unrecognized, or uncertain about tomorrow. Fill me with Your Spirit, sustain me through the waiting, and remind me that Your life flows through me, even when I feel dry. Teach me to trust Your pruning, to rest in Your love, and to bear fruit that lasts—not for applause, but for Your glory. Amen.

Reflection / Journaling Questions

Where in your life are you running on empty, yet still showing up faithfully? How can you invite Jesus into that space?
What areas of service or labor have felt invisible or unrewarded, and how might God be using these moments to prune and prepare you for growth?
How does John 15:5—“Apart from Me, you can do nothing”—challenge your sense of self-reliance or pride?
When have you felt the Spirit filling you in unexpected ways, even in seasons of fatigue or uncertainty?
How can you focus more on connection with Jesus rather than chasing results or recognition?
What small practices (prayer, Scripture reading, quiet reflection) can help you remain in the Vine when life feels draining?

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Sources

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author. The information provided is based on personal research, experience, and understanding of the subject matter at the time of writing. Readers should consult relevant experts or authorities for specific guidance related to their unique situations.