When You're Lacking Motivation

Have you ever felt stagnant in your relationship with God? Maybe you’ve been watching that Christian influencer on Instagram and you feel as though you’re walk with God doesn’t look like hers. 

“If only I could wake up at 7 every morning and read my Bible, then I would feel better and things would start going my way” Welcome to a thought I’ve had many times before. 

It can be so easy to fall into the trap that our relationship with God and our closeness to Him is directly related to our striving, earning and deserving. It’s the whole concept of fake it til ya make it. Maybe if we just hold on long enough, God would bless us immensely, then we would be able to really believe, start living for Christ and do big things for God. 

When we don’t measure up to where we think we should be or where we perceive someone else is, it can be possible to lose motivation in our walk with the Lord.

This is the the slippery slope of the hustle culture we live in. The idea that we have to “make it” in order to be happy. There’s this unspoken belief in our society that unless we own house and car, have a successful career and a million followers on Instagram a trophy wife or husband, we haven’t made it. Have you felt the pressure to “make it” by the time you’re 30? I know I have. And at times I’ve found myself wondering what I’m supposed to be striving for. I’ve lacked patience and grace with myself. 

I’m 22 and I’m learning that there really is nowhere I’m supposed to be, or anyone I’m supposed to catch up with because I have a unique story and no matter what has happened or what will happen, I know God works all things together for good. Romans 8:28 

But just because I know this truth and have committed it to memory doesn’t mean every day is a walk in the park. There have been times that I  felt unmotivated to read my Bible and I’ve wrestled with doubts and fears. I’ve been unsure of purpose and calling. I’ve believed the lies of the enemy. I’ve spent to many moments beating myself up over dry seasons and doubt. 

That’s where I have to cling to what the Bible says. I must hold on to what I know to be true about God. And that is truth I am righteous, and the Creator of the universe loves me

And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith. Philippians 3:9

So what do I do in times of unmotivation? I have learned to have more grace with myself. I call on the Lord whenever it comes to mind and I try to make small decisions each day that deepen my walk and understanding of Him. I ask the Lord to search my heart and take way anything that feeds selfishness or could lead to idolatry.

We cannot rely on our feelings to inform us about God. Instead, we should trust what the Bible says and let that inform our feelings. 

If you find yourself lacking motivation, trust that God will do a great work in you, making you mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4 Allow yourself to find rest in his love, even in a society that constantly says you’re not doing enough.

Perseverance is such a big part of the Christian walk. Don’t let the tactics and lies of the enemy get to you when you feel unmotivated. And remember, you are not loved or worth less just because you are experiencing those feelings. 

xx,

Hailey