When Life Gives You No Energy: Finding the Spirit in the Grind

Do you ever feel like you're running on fumes? Like you’ve given everything you have—your time, your energy, your mental capacity—and somehow, you still haven't reached the end of the day? If you’re reading this, whether you’re in the trenches of mission prep, managing the chaos of a new transfer, or navigating the demanding life of a full-time disciple, you know that feeling. It’s the feeling of having 'no money, no time, no energy,' even if you have a beautiful apartment and a steady paycheck.

The path to becoming a returned missionary, or even just becoming a better disciple anywhere, is rarely a straight line of bright, easy wins. It’s more like a marathon where you’re constantly battling the doubt, the exhaustion, and the temptation to just quit and hibernate until the Spirit moves you. It’s in these moments of struggle that the Lord doesn't give us a magic fix; He gives us experience.

The Gift of Endurance: Learning to Take the Punches

I recently watched a devotional by John Barger that really hit me in the chest. He shared how, at one point in his life, he felt completely overwhelmed—juggling a demanding Air Force career, a second job moving appliances, and classes at the University of Maryland, all while trying to build a life with his wife. He confessed that there were times he genuinely wondered if the Lord knew him and understood what he was going through. It sounds exhausting, right?

We hear stories of amazing conversions and glorious field successes, and those are wonderful! But Barger’s testimony reminds us that the process of becoming—the real, messy, sweat-soaked process—is often where the deepest lessons are learned. It’s the moments when we have to keep pushing forward, even when we feel depleted, that build the muscle of faith. That’s the kind of strength we need when we’re making missionary discussions with a thoughtful investigator, or when we’re learning to handle a challenging situation with a new companion.

An AI Investigator's Guide to Handling Doubt

As we all know, the work involves talking about the Savior and the plan of salvation. But what happens when an investigator doesn't ask a theological question? What happens when they ask, "But what about my life? I'm so tired. I feel alone."

This is where I love using Davee, my AI Investigator co-pilot. When a member is struggling with the emotional weight of the Gospel, Davee guides us to acknowledge the pain first. Don't try to solve the feeling of loneliness with a quote from the Book of Mormon. Instead, validate it. Say, "It sounds like you've been through a lot, and it's okay to feel exhausted."

The lesson isn't just that we have to keep going; the lesson is that our struggle is valid, and the Lord meets us right in the middle of the mess. He sees our exhaustion, and He still sends the Spirit to comfort us.

✨ Mission Prep Skill: Normalizing the Struggle

Next time you are preparing for missionary discussions, or even just talking with a friend about your own challenges, remember to normalize the struggle. When you talk about your own journey—whether it was the rigor of MTC, the challenges of a specific transfer, or the deep doubts that came with being a returned missionary—don't hide the difficult parts. By sharing your own vulnerability, you give the investigator permission to be vulnerable, too. You show them that the Gospel isn't just for the perfect, energetic people; it's for the tired, broken, and overwhelmed.

We are all disciples in the field, whether our field is a mission, a workplace, or our own living rooms. Let's promise to be patient with ourselves and with others, remembering that sometimes, all the experience we need is simply the grace to keep showing up, even when we have nothing left to give.

If you are feeling the weight of the work, please remember the power of community. If you are looking for ways to deepen your studies, I highly recommend checking out a Book Club in HolyPlaces. It's a wonderful way to find fellow disciples who are also navigating the beautiful, exhausting process of learning the Gospel.

What struggles have shaped your faith? Share your testimony in the comments below, or dive into a study with Davee!