Hello Reader,

Have you ever felt a deep desire to encourage someone, but then hesitated because you felt as though you weren't "enough"? Perhaps you're navigating significant personal challenges, like brain health struggles, and wonder how you could pour into others when your own reserves feel low.

In this article, "Sharing the Overflow Even When Your Cup Feels Half-Full" we explore the beautiful truth that God doesn't require us to be perfectly whole or fully "filled" before we can be a channel of His grace to others. In fact, it's often in our vulnerability and dependence on Him that His light shines brightest through us. May this message empower you to share when you feel broken.

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Sharing the Overflow Even When Your Cup Feels Half-Full

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Imagine a massive, clear spring bubbling up from the earth, constantly renewing itself. As it overflows, it forms a gentle stream that nurtures the plants along its banks, provides water for thirsty animals, and eventually flows into a larger river, spreading life far and wide. The spring doesn't wait until it's "full enough" to start flowing; its very nature is to give.

Now, consider your own life. When you're facing significant challenges, whether dealing with brain health issues, chronic conditions, or simply the everyday stresses of life, it's easy to feel like you're barely keeping your head above water. The idea of "sharing" anything, let alone an "overflow" of hope, joy, or peace, might seem impossible. "How can I give when my own cup feels half-empty?" you might ask. Yet, the profound truth is that God designed us not just to receive His abundant grace, but to become channels through which that grace flows to others, often most powerfully when we feel weakest.

Understanding "Overflow" in Action

In our journey, "overflow" means the abundant hope, joy, and peace that God gives us, even during life's challenges. It isn’t about living perfectly or avoiding struggles. Instead, it's about experiencing God's presence and provision so fully that His goodness naturally overflows from our lives into others. This "overflow" is a gift from Him, not something we can produce ourselves.

Why Share When You're Struggling?

For a long time, I wondered how I could possibly give when I often felt so broken. The regular challenges I faced with my brain health often left me overwhelmed or exhausted. I couldn’t see how anyone like me could offer much to others. Despite hearing and knowing 2 Corinthians 12:9, something still didn’t connect.

No matter if you still can’t see it or find it hard to believe that God could use you in your current situation, I want you to realize that you are believing a lie. There's a common misconception that we need to be "fixed" or "strong" before helping others. But the Bible shows a completely different view.

God's Power Perfected in Weakness:
The Apostle Paul wrote, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV). This shows that when we are most aware of our limitations, God's strength can shine most brightly through us. Our vulnerability can serve as a testament to His grace, not a barrier to ministry.
Sometimes, all you have to do is show up with a willing heart to serve. That’s it! Simply show up, tell God that you are willing to serve, and ask God to use you. I dare you! Watch as God works in and through you, where the only explanation is God.
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Empathy Born from Experience:
When you've gone through tough times, you develop a special ability for empathy and understanding. Your challenges prepare you to relate to others who are going through pain in ways that someone who hasn't faced similar struggles cannot.
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Another thing I didn't realize for years was that I had something to share with others who faced similar struggles. The tough times in my life had uniquely equipped me to have empathy for someone else. Back then, I didn’t see that experience as valuable. In fact, I wanted to forget about it altogether. Little did I know that God saw this as a unique superpower.
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It's a Natural Outflow:
When God fills us with His Spirit, His love naturally drives us to share. It's not something we do out of obligation, but a genuine response to His goodness.
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When the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us, we are completely new. It took me a while, I mean years upon years, to realize how different I was after deciding to follow Jesus. God’s Spirit compels us to do things that we would never have done before. When I combine the empathy I had with the power and love of the Holy Spirit, I step into my unique calling on my life as a powerful force of God’s love.
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Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t about me; it’s about God using this empathy along with the power of the Holy Spirit to bring positive change in others’ lives.
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Practical Ways to Share the Overflow

Sharing the overflow of hope, peace, and joy doesn't always mean leading a large ministry or providing financial support (though those are wonderful!). It often shows up as small, steady acts of grace in your daily life. We tend to overcomplicate things, or at least I do. We have this picture in our heads of what something should look like, and it takes a meaningful event or insight to help us see things differently.
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Here are some ways you can share, even when your cup feels less than full.
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1. Offer a Listening Ear:
   Sometimes, the best gift you can give is just listening without judgment or the urge to "fix" things. Your presence and attentive ear can be a powerful source of comfort.
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   ​Practical Step: When someone shares a struggle, resist the urge to give advice. Instead, say, "Tell me more about that," or "That sounds incredibly difficult."
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2. Share Your Story (Vulnerability):
   When appropriate and safe, sharing part of your journey—such as your struggles, how God has supported you, or a moment of hope—can be incredibly impactful. It shows others they're not alone and points them to the source of your strength.
   I learned this lesson when I began to tell my story. I saw people in front of my own two eyes change or have a physical reaction to my story. God was using my story, but it wasn’t about me.
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   ​Practical Step: Choose one small, genuine experience of God's faithfulness to share with a trusted friend or family member.
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3. Pray for Others:
   Prayer is a powerful way to share God's grace. You don't need to be physically present or have all the answers. Simply lifting someone up to God in prayer can make a profound difference.
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   ​Practical Step: Keep a prayer list. When someone comes to mind, pause and say a quick prayer for them.
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4. Small Acts of Kindness:
   A kind word, a thoughtful text, a handwritten note, or a simple gesture of help can be a tangible sign of God's love. These small acts can brighten someone's day and remind them they are seen and valued. I have seen this truth played out time and time again. It doesn’t take much. Often, a thoughtful text can make someone’s day a little bit brighter. Sometimes, just knowing that another person cares can change your entire outlook. It’s a reminder of God’s love lived out through another person.
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   ​Practical Step: Make a conscious effort to perform one small act of kindness each day, even if it's just a genuine compliment.
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5. Use Your Unique Gifts (Even if Limited):
   God has given each of us unique gifts. Even if your energy is limited due to brain health challenges, consider how your unique talents or interests can benefit others. It might be a creative outlet, a special area of knowledge, or simply your kind and gentle spirit.
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   ​Practical Step: Reflect on what you can do instead of what you cannot. Can you send encouraging messages? Offer a specific skill for a short time?
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The Reciprocal Blessing of Sharing

Here's a beautiful paradox: when we share hope, joy, and peace, we often find our cups being refilled.

Connection and Purpose:
Giving to others fosters a sense of connection and purpose, which can combat feelings of isolation and hopelessness, common companions to brain health struggles.
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Serving in my local church had a profound impact on me. It provided me with an essential sense of connection I was lacking and showed me how God had a distinct purpose for my life.
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Focus Beyond Self:
Shifting our focus from our challenges to the needs of others can offer a healthy perspective and lessen rumination on our difficulties.
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As I took steps to serve in my local church, I was presented with a question: “Do I value my perceived safety or do I value serving God and others?” I was invited to travel to a new Life.Church location to lead a group of local volunteers in setting up their campus. Traveling at this point was incredibly difficult for me. It typically caused a great deal of anxiety. It is what I would call an anxiety trigger.

The choice that was before me was “Would I choose my perceived safety or would I choose to serve God and others?” I chose to serve, and this decision changed the trajectory of my life. It helped me shift my focus from myself to the mission, “To lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ.”
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Experiencing God's Provision:
As we step out in faith to share, we often see God's provision and empowerment in surprising ways, strengthening our trust in Him.

I’ve personally seen this play out in numerous scenarios. When my family has chosen to share God’s blessings with others, God has shown up in ways only explainable by God. I wouldn’t necessarily encourage sharing in order to receive God’s provision, but it’s undeniable that when my family has shared with the right intentions, we have seen provision and empowerment like never before.

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Conclusion: A Continuous Flow

Sharing the overflow isn't about having endless personal strength or perfect mental clarity. It's about recognizing that God's grace is limitless, and He wants to use us, in all our humanity and vulnerability, to show His love.

When we allow His hope, joy, and peace to flow through us to others, we participate in His divine work. We become living testimonies to His faithfulness, demonstrating that even amidst challenges, a life of abundance is possible through Him. So, even if your cup feels half-full, remember that a half-full cup can still pour. Let God's abundance flow through you, and watch as His grace multiplies, blessing both you and those around you.

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Overflow is now on Substack. Help Overflow grow on Substack and impact others by subscribing for free. Follow us on Substack ↗

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

• ​Why Your Struggles Aren’t Pointless: A Guide to Eternal Perspective​
• ​When You’re Running on Empty: A Faith-Filled Approach to Overcoming Exhaustion​
• ​Living Abundantly with Chronic Conditions: A Faith-Based Guide​

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As always, you can find past articles here.

​ Craig Booker​ ​Say "hello" 👋 on LinkedIn or Substack. ​ ▶️ Catch my latest video on YouTube​

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