The Solution for Feeling Blah

I broached the subject. “So, what would you say if I said that I don’t have any passion?” My friend, a professional counselor and consultant, looked up from his plate.

“You’ve been doing the same thing for too long.”

“Wow,” I thought. “That was quick. What does this mean?” I wondered. “Should I quit my job?” I started the mental juggle of applying his words. But he wasn’t done with me. Over the next hour we talked through the sources of my passionless state. At the end, I had a better picture of how I got into this state and what I needed to do to restore my passion. Passion = R + C + N: willingness to risk (R), engage challenges (C), and seek newness (N).

Strangely enough, the bible doesn’t really talk about passion. At least, not the way we do. “Passion” in the scriptures usually refers to drives and activities that are out of control and out of bounds. The closest biblical words to our “passion” are “zeal” and “desire”. And even here, we often have to infer from other phrases that it’s talking about passion.

Passion lies underneath some other biblical ideas like satisfaction, joy, and fulfillment. It is a more specific, intense subset of “love”. We see it in the phrase to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, …soul and …strength” (Deut. 6:5)

This equation, P = R + C + N, doesn’t sound very spiritual. But, in practical terms, it is a vital part of the tone and texture of our lives. Research shows we need to be regularly pushed a little bit beyond what’s comfortable in order to derive the highest satisfaction from life. To put it another way, we are most passionate, most fully alive, when we are operating just beyond our normal range of operating abilities. This means that we need some risk, some challenge, and some areas of newness in our lives. 

I was shocked when my physiology professor said these words: “The body needs stress to thrive.” We need something to push us and challenge us in order to live fully. This is how we are designed by God. Either we grow or we retreat. 

While there are lots of obstacles to being passionate, two items especially work against our need to risk, explore, and grow. The first obstacle is fear. Fear of failure. Fear of pain. Fear of the unknown. Fear in all its forms keeps us from launching out into uncharted territory to find and feed our passion.

The second obstacle is our God-given need for comfort. We also desire the experience of satisfaction. Eat good food. Sleep late. Laze around. Chat with friends and drink coffee in the local café. Watch a funny movie, etc. This is also a legitimate need. But these two needs must balance themselves out.

To have passion in life, we often need to work against this other need for comfort. We have to sweat, go through some mental gymnastics, and experience and navigate new situations. We’ve got to risk, engage, and explore.

The School of Ministry waits for you: to tackle fear, to tackle man-made satisfactions, to restore risk, adventure, and opportunities. Passion awaits. Learn more today.