Declining Motivation
It is easy to let motivation slip, but the problem with losing motivation is that this is generally a slow process during which we become moody, adept at procrastination, increase in negativity and a critical attitude and neglect our time with God’s Word and in prayer. Declining motivation is caused by a number of different things:
1. disappointment with people or God (feeling that they have let us down, or feeling disappointed with ourselves because we feel we have let people or God down.) The only way to deal with this is to let go of the disappointment and to freely forgive.
2. discontentment, never being satisfied with what we have or where we are. The recipe for curing discontentment is found in Matt 6:33 and Ps 37:4. Only when we put God first can we find true contentment.
3. discouragement, which robs us of purpose and vigour. Heb 3:13 reminds us of the daily need to encourage others, but so often, we fail to do this, looking only at people’s outward appearances or feeling that encouragement will only foster pride. Encouragement costs us little, but is a powerful way of maintaining motivation.
4. a disparaging view of ourselves. Poor self-esteem and feelings of inferiority and inadequacy plague many people and ultimately influence how others see us. Moses and Gideon both struggled with a disparaging view of themselves, reckoning themselves inadequate to God’s call; the ten spies who faltered when viewing the Promised Land had a low opinion of themselves which coloured their views. Eph 2:10 reminds us that we are God’s workmanship, His masterpiece, His ‘work of art.’ Seeing ourselves as God sees us is key to maintaining motivation, for He who called us is faithful.