Motivation Takes a Hit

We were told, in essence, “Stay at home. Do nothing.” That’s been the required response to the pandemic.

That prescription produced an unwanted side-effect though, the psychological equivalent of Newton’s first law of motion: a body in motion tends to stay in motion and a body at rest will remain at rest unless an outside force acts upon it.

That’s a great analogy for a condition that a recent article in the New York Times calls “languishing”.[i]

Languishing isn’t the most common word you will ever meet but the experience of languishing seems to be sweeping the country. It is that intermediate psychological state when you’re neither energized nor passionate yet you’re not depressed or in dire straits either.

Just sort of blah. Aimless. Unenthused. Not particularly looking forward to anything.

Ask around and you’ll find lots of people under its influence.

Languishing describes the spiritual state of a Christian couple I recently counseled. They have not turned their back on God. They say they still believe. Yet they’re clearly gradually drifting away from their previous spiritual habits and church participation.

Another case – a Christian leader sat in my office complaining about the volunteers in her organization. They’re lethargic and apathetic, she said. “They expect me to do it all!”

Leaders and followers both find themselves languishing, lacking much apparent motivation.

Here’s the problem. Languishing kills enthusiasm, passion, and engagement. In the long run, it’s bad for us emotionally, physically, and spiritually!

Thankfully, there’s a cure, so here’s what I suggest for you (and for you to share with your congregation).

First, reignite your passion. I know – easier said than done. Losing touch with your interests, drives, ambitions, and deepest desires define languishing. You become indifferent to your indifference. But just like a fire that has died down, passion can be reignited!

So, select a small goal and focus on it. Encourage yourself and others to take one small step in a good direction!

Second, reengage your routine. Maybe you’ve let your prayer life slip. Perhaps you gave up your workout. Could be you stopped tracking those calories. Just start it up again. Build some momentum. Again, you don’t have run 10 miles or pray two hours the first day. Just set a modest goal.

Third, remind yourself (and the people you lead) that languishing – the blahs – is a real thing, maybe even an understandable thing, but not a helpful thing. Believers can and should defeat the blahs!

Think about the Apostle Paul. He found himself confined to house arrest for two entire years. Talk about an opportunity to languish!

In Acts 28, after a long and arduous journey, Paul arrives in Rome where he was allowed to live alone with soldiers guarding him. He faced an uncertain future and a trial for his life. He could easily have allowed himself to dither away the time (or for that matter to sink into deep depression).

Instead, “He lived there for two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” (Acts 28:30-31)

He fanned the flames and kept his fire burning brightly.

You and I as leaders should do the same and encourage our followers to resist the de-motivational blahs!

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[1] Retrieved on 4/22/2021 from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/well/mind/covid-mental-health-languishing.html

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George P. Woods, Executive Editor of Influence magazine. interviews Dr. Jeannie on the Influence Podcast.

Dr. JeannieApril 29, 20211 Comment