Struggling with Motivation

[Ruba]

Motivation seems to be one of my biggest problems around here. I really love God with all of my heart, and I want to do things for Him, and keep up the faith, but sometimes I fall into a slump, and can't get myself to do anything hardly. The problem is that when I forget to read the bible for a few days, I bring huge resentment toward myself feeling like a jerk. When I can't keep the motivation up for anything, then I get really upset with myself and have a deep troubling anger. I tend to not forgive myself, and that makes me so stuck, and then I become depressed.

I know God understands me more than anyone, and He probably forgave me the first second I started forgetting to read the bible or anything else, but I get so scared that I'd do it more often and I don't want that. So instead of asking God for help, I tend to wrestle with myself. I don't know how to keep motivation up without getting upset and depressed about it. I don't know how to actually give it ALL to God.

 

[turned around]

Hi Ruba,
The believers life is said to be a race, and it is also referred to as a walk. I personally think we should start walking first. The foundation that needs to be set so we can walk, is that we are called into the family of God. We are sons, and daughters not servants that are kept in line by strict rules(bible reading, doing things for God). We have been adopted into the family by the Son(Jesus). Jesus did all the work and presents us to the Father, for fellowship not a life of servitude. It states that he called us into this relationship as children. What do children do they love to please their parents. It seems to be built into their dna's when they are young.

What happened to us when we called on Jesus is that he changed our natures. We were walking in the spirit of disobedience, then he changed our nature. We have been made able to come into the Fathers fellowship. We are now comfortable around the Father, and he is comfortable around us. What I,m driving at is that we do not have to perform in any way shape or form for the Father to be pleased with us. It's been completed by Jesus on our behalf. With this foundation we can then start to develop as believers.

The new nature now in us will automatically start to develop and grow. We will begin to add the Word of God and our minds will become renewed to the truths in the scripture. We will be able see God's grace transforming us, and not our attempts to improve ourselves. We will understand that the Word is fully capable of teaching us what is acceptable to the Lord. It is not men's opinions but the Word itself. Jesus desires to live through us by the Spirit of Christ. The Spirit of Christ is the life transforming Spirit, he will give you motivation. He will not bring any condemnation to you, he will only uplift you. One side note take a look at the Apostle Paul's letters. His teachings will show you that there is no condemnation in Christ. When we constantly feel bad about our short comings , it can be very draining on our souls(sapping our motivation). Hope I have made sense to you.

 

[Harry3142]

Ruba-

We are to be patient with ourselves, just as we are to be patient with others. So long as we recognize which motivations which we are to cultivate, and which motivations which we are to shun, the spiritual growth will take place:

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, fathfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:16-26,NIV)

 

[Peripatetic]

Hi Ruba - welcome to the forum! I also get very upset with myself, which ends up making me stuck sometimes too. Almost any other source of frustration can be avoided or altered in some way, but anger at myself seems to have nowhere to go but inside. You said, "I know God understands me more than anyone" and that is what I keep reminding myself. He never misunderstands, and I don't have to explain my motivations or fears (though it does help to do that sometimes).

I wouldn't stress so much about reading the Bible as a kind of rule that you have to follow. Have you tried shorter passages for those days where it doesn't come easy? Sometimes I read just a few verses or a short devotion on my phone, and that will give me something to think about as I move through my day. It doesn't have to be chapters at a time.

 

[Ruba]

Hi Ruba,
The believers life is said to be a race, and it is also referred to as a walk. I personally think we should start walking first. The foundation that needs to be set so we can walk, is that we are called into the family of God. We are sons, and daughters not servants that are kept in line by strict rules(bible reading, doing things for God). We have been adopted into the family by the Son(Jesus). Jesus did all the work and presents us to the Father, for fellowship not a life of servitude. It states that he called us into this relationship as children. What do children do they love to please their parents. It seems to be built into their dna's when they are young.

What happened to us when we called on Jesus is that he changed our natures. We were walking in the spirit of disobedience, then he changed our nature. We have been made able to come into the Fathers fellowship. We are now comfortable around the Father, and he is comfortable around us. What I,m driving at is that we do not have to perform in any way shape or form for the Father to be pleased with us. It's been completed by Jesus on our behalf. With this foundation we can then start to develop as believers.

The new nature now in us will automatically start to develop and grow. We will begin to add the Word of God and our minds will become renewed to the truths in the scripture. We will be able see God's grace transforming us, and not our attempts to improve ourselves. We will understand that the Word is fully capable of teaching us what is acceptable to the Lord. It is not men's opinions but the Word itself. Jesus desires to live through us by the Spirit of Christ. The Spirit of Christ is the life transforming Spirit, he will give you motivation. He will not bring any condemnation to you, he will only uplift you. One side note take a look at the Apostle Paul's letters. His teachings will show you that there is no condemnation in Christ. When we constantly feel bad about our short comings , it can be very draining on our souls(sapping our motivation). Hope I have made sense to you.

Thank you so much turned around for responding.

I guess I am just scared of being lazy. I know laziness can cause a lot of problems for anyone. Everyone needs to work for food, paying bills, and so forth. I just try my best to keep myself from falling into that, because its very difficult to get out of sloth.

I know when I started following God, a lot of stress was taken away from me, and it helped me remember things better, and I was able to just flow pretty naturally about getting stuff done, but when I feel unmotivated, I just almost feel like I can't do anything, and I know God is helping me through many ways just to get me to move.

Having a relationship with Jesus, I tend to talk to him about my feelings all the time. I always ask for help because I know God wants me to do something that is better than sitting around doing nothing. I know he wants me to be happy, but its really hard to grasp the concept that I am a child of God, and not employed by Him. I grown up trying to be accepted by others, and usually you have to do work for that.

Thank you for reminding me of truly how He is for his children. I guess I like Him so much that I'd do anything for Him and end up trying to set chores myself which pretty much throws me into a ditch. I still have a lot of spiritual growing to do, and faith building.

 

[Ruba]

Ruba-

We are to be patient with ourselves, just as we are to be patient with others. So long as we recognize which motivations which we are to cultivate, and which motivations which we are to shun, the spiritual growth will take place:

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, fathfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:16-26,NIV)

Hi Harry3142,

Thank you so much for your response. I know I have a lot of sinful nature in me even though God took away so much when I met Him. I just know that He is working on me every second of my life. I know He is destroying the sins in me that I can't control that well. I know He is, but I am sure its very easy for a lot of followers to get lost, and need to be reminded that God is here, and we should not let go of our faith for Him.

This was a wonderful reminder. I feel a lot better. Thank you Harry3142.

 

[Ruba]

Hi Ruba - welcome to the forum! I also get very upset with myself, which ends up making me stuck sometimes too. Almost any other source of frustration can be avoided or altered in some way, but anger at myself seems to have nowhere to go but inside. You said, "I know God understands me more than anyone" and that is what I keep reminding myself. He never misunderstands, and I don't have to explain my motivations or fears (though it does help to do that sometimes).

I wouldn't stress so much about reading the Bible as a kind of rule that you have to follow. Have you tried shorter passages for those days where it doesn't come easy? Sometimes I read just a few verses or a short devotion on my phone, and that will give me something to think about as I move through my day. It doesn't have to be chapters at a time.

Thank you Peripatetic for your response.

I really do have a lot of spiritual growth to do in my part. I am still looking for a church to go to. I know church helps us remind us about God, and help re-lift the spirit and remind us about the true pathway. Since I am home a lot, I am trying to find sermons, radio, and bible reading to keep myself on track, and so far I realized I do need people to talk to me about Christ because sometimes I get a huge disconnection without people around me who follow Christ. This forum helped a lot so far and this is only my 2nd day on here.

 

[Arcwood]

Hey Ruba.

Remember,
Hate what God hates, and Love what God loves.
These are the beginning of wisdom and the First Law of Faith.
If you keep both these testimonies at Heart, everything you do, even your 'slump' is in the Name of God, and he Loves you.

If you lack motivation, consider the contents of your life and evaluate in what ways you could improve for God. Such as, prepare a missionary work to a poor country where you can spread your wealth and good cheer of faith. This gives you time to educate yourself on foreign culture and languages, as well as give you the opportunity to search out a church missionary group and meet new people.


God Bless.

ps. If you don't enjoy reading the bible. which I do not. despite the wide array of information it provides that most people overlooks,
you can always try to read the Qur'an. Which even as a Christian I believe in. You just have to remember not to take anything in it personally because that will be a terrible read! But remember instead to listen intently for the message that it spreads. Understanding Muslims may be interesting. But this is not so much a suggestion as a option.

 

[AWorkInProgress]

Motivation seems to be one of my biggest problems around here. I really love God with all of my heart, and I want to do things for Him, and keep up the faith, but sometimes I fall into a slump, and can't get myself to do anything hardly. The problem is that when I forget to read the bible for a few days, I bring huge resentment toward myself feeling like a jerk. When I can't keep the motivation up for anything, then I get really upset with myself and have a deep troubling anger. I tend to not forgive myself, and that makes me so stuck, and then I become depressed.

I know God understands me more than anyone, and He probably forgave me the first second I started forgetting to read the bible or anything else, but I get so scared that I'd do it more often and I don't want that. So instead of asking God for help, I tend to wrestle with myself. I don't know how to keep motivation up without getting upset and depressed about it. I don't know how to actually give it ALL to God.

Let me give you some perspective about your spiritual situation.

Spiritual Birth
John 3:5-8 NKJV
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

We have natural birth of the physical body in which our spirit lives in. Yet we don't have Spiritual birth till we receive Jesus in our hearts. Literally the Holy Spirit comes to live in our hearts with our spirit, so we now have the power to live a Holy Spirit lead life.

Take the concept of birth, when a child is born into the world. That child is not equipped to walk, run, jump, and do complex actions or have complex knowledge or understand. Demanding a child to write their name on a board, let alone know how to say their name is ridiculous. It's an unrealistic expectation.

You might be asking 'what does this have to do with me?'. According to scripture, we experience a second birth. The birth of the Spirit, and just as a child born into this world, we are not equipped to handle or do major Spiritual things. Expecting such things from baby Christians is incredibly unrealistic.

Expects Mistakes
You are a child of the most high God, and the Lord doesn't expect perfection. He knows you will make MANY mistakes, and he expects it.

Matthew 18:21-22 NKJV
Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

The Lord knows your heart, and your desire to grow stronger roots in Jesus. It will take time and seasons, and he knows how to speak to you every step of the way. He is there when you fall, to help pick you back up. To comfort you when things get too hard, and to reveal his mighty hand in delivering you during your trials. He DOES NOT expect perfection, but to just enjoy the journey with him.

Forgive yourself
Lastly if your like myself and can be very self critical. You need to learn how to forgive yourself. The Lord is quick to forgive, but sometimes we are harsher on ourselves then the God of all creation. If you don't learn to forgive yourself, basically condemn yourself to death and are at war with yourself.

Picture this, a baby is crawling and starts to attempt to walk. Baby is having fun and laughing, and falls on it's butt. Now a parent gets upset and yells at the baby for falling. Every time the baby keeps trying to walk, but falls the parent keeps yelling at that child. Over time, the child gives up even trying to walk, for fear of being yelled at.

This is literally what happens when we become too self critical and don't forgive ourselves. We give up trying to walk spiritually, with we keep getting beat down over our mistakes. The Lord's heart is that we learn from our mistakes and keep moving forward.

 

[Emmy]

Dear Ruba. Jesus has the right answer what to do next. Just follow His advice. Jesus tells a Lawyer: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it: Love thy neighbour as thyself." Then Jesus points out this great fact:
" On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." God wants our love freely given and NO conditions tagged on. Start by treating all around you, as you would love to be treated: kindly and always with friendly words. God will see your sincere efforts, and God will Bless you. Read the Bible as you have time and think about it, God will know that you are following His Commandments to love, and God will Bless you.
Jesus told us: " Ask and ye shall receive," ( Matthew 7: 7-10) then thank God and share all Love and Joy with your neighbour; all around you. Keep asking God for Love and Joy and then thank God, and share all Love and Joy with all you know and all you meet, friends and not friends. God is Love and God wants loving men and women to turn this imperfect world into a world where Love for God our Heavenly Father will be noticed by all, and love for our fellow-men and fellow-women will be all around us. Love is very catching, and soon we will find that people around us will treat us the same as we treat people. We might stumble and forget at times, but then we ask God to forgive us, and carry on loving and caring for our neighbour.
The Bible tells us to " Repent," to become " Born Again," to give up our selfishness and become as God wants us to be. Jesus our Saviour will always help and guide us: JESUS IS THE WAY. To Love and Obey is what God wants from us, and we fill find that to love becomes easier and very joyful.
Let us pray that to love and care becomes our second nature, and with God With Us, how can we fail?? I say this with love, Ruba. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[parsley]

It is good to recognize that pattern. Then when it begins again, you can catch it early!

Satan is the accuser of the brethren, so don't let accusations sit in the comfy lounge chair in your mind.

This helps me:

Audio Bibles International

 

[throughchristimchanged]

Motivation seems to be one of my biggest problems around here. I really love God with all of my heart, and I want to do things for Him, and keep up the faith(so why dont you), but sometimes I fall into a slump, and can't get myself to do anything hardly(why). The problem is that when I forget to read the bible for a few days(what does reading the bible have to do with living in faith), I bring huge resentment toward myself feeling like a jerk. When I can't keep the motivation up for anything, then I get really upset with myself(why are you blaming yourself?) and have a deep troubling anger. I tend to not forgive myself, and that makes me so stuck, and then I become depressed.

I know God understands me more than anyone, and He probably forgave me the first second I started forgetting to read the bible or anything else, but I get so scared that I'd do it more often and I don't want that. So instead of asking God for help, I tend to wrestle with myself. I don't know how to keep motivation up(what do you need to know)without getting upset and depressed about it. I don't know how to actually give it ALL to God.(what are you trying to give)

praying GOD answers your prayers