Browsed by
Category: Problems

Running on Fumes

Running on Fumes

Comments 5 comments

Running on Fumes-Andrea GiordanoPlease welcome my friend Andrea Giordano as today’s guest writer. I met Andrea when she was Executive Director of TESOL and ESL Programs at Campbellsville University. Andrea is the founder of StudyWithAndrea.com and has taught more than 1,000,000 students from 180 countries. She is a proven leader in online English teaching and is driven by her passion to help you speak English clearly. You can study with Andrea at the following places:
– English with Andrea podcast 
– Clear English Pronunciation course 
– The Study With Andrea YouTube channel 

I was driving a friend’s truck last summer when, all of a sudden, the gas light came on. I was miles from a gas station and didn’t know if I would make it to a gas station in time. For the next few miles, I was dangerously close to running out of gas. I was running on fumes.

Just like that truck, I’ve had times in my life when I was running on fumes. These were times I had given all my energy away. I found myself with little ability to handle life easily because of how tired I was.

Running on Fumes--race car with fumesRunning on fumes means you are tired or have little emotional energy. 

  • Tired
  • Emotionally tired
  • Exhausted

There are many situations where you can be running on fumes. You might be a student who stayed up all night finishing a research paper, but still have to show up for an early morning class.

You might be a mom with a newborn baby, where you never get more than three hours of sleep at a time.

You might be locked down to protect yourself from COVID-19. Even though you are safer at home, you feel lonely and overwhelmed by financial pressures and the constant bad news on TV.

In all of those scenarios, you would be running on fumes.

When I feel like I’m running on fumes, I do a few things to refuel:

  1. Get some time alone to pray about what is really exhausting me. A lot of times, just identifying an underlying stress or issue helps me feel like I can do something about it.
  2. I try to go to bed earlier and drink more water.
  3. I listen to worship music and remember that God is strong enough to help me through whatever I’m facing.
  4. I read Scripture, especially verses like Matthew 11:28 (NIV), “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened [running on fumes], and I will give you rest.”

What helps you when you are running on fumes? Please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Good to Go

Good to Go

Comments 2 comments

Good to Go--road leading to covered bridge“Are you ready?”

“Yes, we are good to go.”

When planning a trip, we like to hear that news.

Good to go means we are ready.

Excited to hit the trail, we have:

  • Prepared
  • Packed (but no excess baggage)
  • Repaired, if necessary
  • Checked and double-checked

Good to go includes more than travel.

It may refer to our:

  • Health (a return to good health)
  • Possessions (all work well)
  • Activities (ready to start or restart)
  • Work (complete and correct)

Sometimes good to go means ready to stay.

In recent days, we have stayed home, because of COVID-19. Several people call, text, or message to check on us. Questions usually include:

  • Are you okay?
  • Do you need anything?

Once I said, “We are good to go, or – in this case – stay.” What I meant was:

  • We were okay.
  • We did not need anything or to go anywhere.

In this life, let’s stay good to go, whether we stay or go. For the next life, let’s definitely get ready to go.

“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

The End of Your Rope

The End of Your Rope

Comments 0 Comment

The End of Your Rope--climber hanging from a rope“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.” –Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Many can identify with the former president. Hard times hit, and you hurt. You wonder:

  • How will I survive?
  • Who can help?
  • Why did this happen?

When you reach the end of your rope, you feel out of options.

Like a person hanging from a cliff with no more rope, you feel desperate. You have no:

  • Strength
  • Hope
  • Patience
  • Desire to continue

You are ready to give up. You want to throw in the towel.

Problems may be as simple as no time to do all you need to do. However, problems may also be life threatening.

Whatever the problem, hold on.

Tie a knot and hang on for dear life. Help may be on the way. Many people want to help, if you let them know your need. Once you receive what you need, pay it forward by helping someone else.

When you get to the end of your rope, remember two words: “But God.”

You may not know the answer, but God does.

  • Troubles may not stop, but God walks with you through them.
  • Uncertainty may remain, but God gives you peace in the midst of it.
  • Life may look hopeless, but God offers hope for this life and the life to come.

When trials around you cause stress within you, look up.

“But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;
you consider their grief and take it in hand” (Psalm 10:14 NIV).

Thanks to Ann Knowles for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

In the Nick of Time

In the Nick of Time

Comments 0 Comment

In the Nick of Time--planes flying toward a setting sunOn a trip to Minneapolis years ago, I caught a plane just in the nick of time. My first plane had engine trouble, so I had to change flights. That made me late for my second flight. As a result, I had to run through the airport about 1:00 a.m. to board my plane on time.

In the nick of time means at the last moment.

  • Doctors perform surgery just in time to save a life.
  • Basketball players make winning shots in the last seconds of games.
  • Parents grab children before they run into traffic.

Any delay beyond the nick of time is too late.

  • I would have missed my flight. (I did miss the boat later on that same trip.)
  • Doctors’ patients would die.
  • Basketball teams would lose.
  • Cars would hit children

Each situation goes down to the wire but is saved by the bell.

A good plan helps avoid the nick of time.

  • Prepare for the unexpected.
  • Stay organized.
  • Focus on the most important.
  • Never put off what needs to be done today.

“As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).

Thanks to Jane Ashley Pace for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Heebie-Jeebies

Heebie-Jeebies

Comments 3 comments

Heebie-jeebies--two small frogsFrogs give me the heebie-jeebies. Big ugly frogs. Cute little frogs. All frogs. They jump too fast. Plus, a friend once had a frog get tangled in her hair.

I am working on my frog fear. Since these little ones were behind glass, I was brave.

Having the heebie-jeebies is no fun. They make us feel:

  • Fear
  • Anxiety
  • Uncertainty
  • Dread
  • Worry

We differ on what gives us the heebie-jeebies.

Frequent fears include:

  • Death, so we use words like kick the bucket.
  • Frogs or other animals, so we try to stay away from them.
  • Public speaking, so we let other people speak for us.
  • The dark, so we keep lights on all night.

A few of us fear or worry about everything.

We are afraid of our own shadow and keep ourselves tied in knots.

A certain amount of fear can be helpful.

Fear may cause us to:

  • Take care of our health
  • Stay away from dangerous animals
  • Avoid dangerous people
  • Watch our step in dangerous situations

 Faith leads us away from fear and worry.

Faith does not remove all our problems. However, if we trust Jesus, He will be with us through life’s troubles. Faith in Jesus also leads us to a home in heaven.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

Thanks to Margaret Bertram for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Saved by the Bell

Saved by the Bell

Comments 1 comment

Saved by the Bell--a small glass bell with a humingbird and flowerSaved by the bell means we escape a difficult situation at the last moment.

A bell rings to end each round in a boxing match. If a boxer is knocked down, he may be counted out. However, if the bell rings first, he can continue the match.

Few of us have been boxers. However, many of us have been saved by the bell.

We escape trouble by the skin of our teeth.

Saved by the bell sometimes applies to embarrassing situations.

  • We fail to write a paper for class. The class ends before the teacher asks for it.
  • We have food on our face. A friend tells us before we meet our new boss.
  • We almost fall in front of a crowd. Someone catches us before we hit the floor.

Saved by the bell also applies to serious situations.

  • We get trapped in a burning car. A policeman pulls us from the car before it explodes.
  • We cannot pay a past-due bill. Unexpected money comes in the mail.
  • We will soon be homeless. Friends ask us to stay with them.

Years ago, a few people put bells on coffins. They thought anyone accidentally buried alive could ring the bell. However, according to The Phrase Finder, saved by the bell relates to boxing, not coffins.

Bear Our Cross: a cross with crown of thornsOur greatest salvation comes through Jesus’ death on a cross.

Jesus died for our wrongs. After three days, He rose from the grave. If we accept Jesus’ gift of salvation, we receive eternal life and a home in heaven. We don’t have to wait to be saved by the bell at the last moment. Jesus offers salvation now.

“He died for our sins and rose again to make us right with God” (Romans 4:25 TLB).

Thanks to Carol York Patterson Brangers for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Come Out in the Wash

Come Out in the Wash

Comments 3 comments

Come Out in the Wash-blouse hanging on a porch with tree in the background“Don’t worry about it. It will come out in the wash.” Those words have probably helped many of us deal with problems or disappointments.

To come out in the wash tells us everything will be okay.

We hate to get stains on our clothing. However, most stains wash out. In the same way, we hate to have problems in life. Yet, most problems work out.

We try to cover up when we do wrong. That also comes out in the wash. We cannot hide bad behavior forever.

With time:

  • Wrongs will be made right.
  • Truth will expose lies.
  • Hard times will pass.
  • Good will win over evil.

Some troubles come out in the wash faster than others.

Not all stains come out quickly. We have to wash our clothes several times to get rid of them. Likewise, not all troubles disappear as soon as we like.

We often worry when all we need to do is wait.

When we wring our hands in worry, we make ourselves feel worse. Most problems cause little harm. If harm comes, it usually does not last long. However, if we do suffer a long time, we can look for lessons from our experiences.

Life gets dirty, but God offers to wash us clean.

If we accept Jesus as personal Savior, life’s troubles will one day end. The best is yet to come. Jesus paid the price for our wrongs and invites us to come clean. He will give us a fresh start.

“Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7 NIV).

Thanks to Linda Dean-Peavey for the suggestion and to Jeri Stone for the photo.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Another Think Coming

Another Think Coming

Comments 0 Comment

Another Think Coming--little girl lectures stuffed sheep“If that is what you think, you have another think coming!” Sadie’s poor sheep are in trouble.

Many of us have heard similar warnings as children and as adults. We were told, in no uncertain terms, our thinking was wrong. Such poor thinking often put us in hot water.

If we have another think coming, our thoughts are mistaken.

We may honestly believe wrong information. However, we may also try to twist the truth to get what we want.

Wrong thinking includes:

  • Believing most people enjoy an easier life than ours. Yet, everyone has problems.
  • Trying to lie or cheat in order to succeed. Yet, we hurt ourselves and others in the process.
  • Thinking we are better or worse than other people. Yet, every person is created in God’s image and worthy of respect.

We all make mistakes. Yet, God forgives and offers a fresh start when we repent of our wrong choices.

When we change our thoughts, we also change how we feel and act.

Negative thoughts make us feel bad. When we feel bad, our actions often turn bad. Therefore,  remember:

  • God created us for a special purpose.
  • We choose whether to accept that purpose — to think and act according to God’s plan.
  • What we think, plus how we feel and act, makes a difference in our lives and in our world.

“A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart” (Proverbs 21:2 NIV).

Thanks to Kristy Robinson Horine for the suggestion and the photo.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Sour Grapes

Sour Grapes

Comments 0 Comment

Sour grapes--grapes on a vineMost of us have probably had sour grapes moments. We want something but cannot get it.

Sour grapes mean we fail to reach what we want, so we pretend it is not important.

We give a sour grapes explanation when we:

  • Criticize or make fun of what we cannot have
  • Say we never really wanted it or would not have enjoyed it
  • Criticize or make fun of the person who gets what we wanted
  • Say we don’t care

Although we try to hide it, we are:

  • Disappointed we did not get what we wanted
  • Jealous of the person who received it.

We find the sour grapes fable in Aesop’s The Fox and the Grapes.

A hungry fox finds good looking grapes hanging above him. When he never succeeds in reaching them, the fox says the grapes are sour. Watch a cartoon version of the fable here.

With an attitude like the fox, we decide if we cannot have something, it was never worth our time or effort – we would not have liked it.

The Bible also mentions sour grapes but with a different meaning.

The Bible’s sour grapes (in Ezekiel 18:2 and Jeremiah 31:29-30) refer to people suffering the consequences for their actions. Expressions that fit those verses include:

“In those days they shall no longer say: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’ But everyone shall die for his own iniquity. Each man who eats sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge” (Jeremiah 31:29-30 ESV).

Thanks to Carole Fite for the suggestion. Image by skeeze from Pixabay.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.

Pay the Fiddler

Pay the Fiddler

Comments 0 Comment

Pay the Fiddler--fiddle in case with a money containerA friend’s father often said, “The one who dances has to pay the fiddler.” That makes sense. We live with the consequences of the choices we make.

To pay the fiddler means we suffer the results of what we say or do.

To pay the piper means the same. We use these expressions most often to describe the results of bad behavior. If we get in trouble, we get punished. Our choices force us to face the music.

The same truth applies to gardening: We reap what we sow.

  • Follow the wrong crowd — get in trouble.
  • Cheat on tests — fail to learn.
  • Hurt other people — lose their trust.

When we choose the right words and actions, we enjoy better results.

  • Follow the right examples — learn the best way to live.
  • Work as we should — grow in knowledge and abilities.
  • Treat others well — build trust in relationships.

Choose well to live well.

As 2020 begins, may we always choose the best. Happy New Year!

“Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23 KJV).

Thanks to Patty Cooper Emerson for the suggestion.

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.