When you've lost your spark ( and how to get it back)

Ever feel like your spiritual spark has fizzled a bit? Like you used to be on fire for God, hearing His voice, sensing His presence everywhere—and now, well… not so much?

You’re not alone. Life gets noisy. The world feels a little topsy-turvy (okay, a lot), and somewhere between the bad news, busy schedules, and endless scrolling, we can lose that deep-down enthusiasm that once made our faith feel alive.

There’s a word I love—enthusiasm.
It comes from the Greek en theos, which literally means “in God.”
That’s where true enthusiasm comes from—not from caffeine, not from good vibes, not even from motivational quotes—but from being in God.

When David ran into battle against Goliath, it wasn’t because he was overconfident—it was because he was en theos.Filled with God. He trusted God daily, walked with God daily, and worshiped God daily.

And that’s the key word—daily.

But somewhere along the line, David lost that spark. He got comfortable. Distracted. Complacent. Sound familiar? (Been there, done that, have the “I skipped my quiet time” mug to prove it.)

The good news? David found his way back. He prayed, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation.” (Psalm 51:12)

That’s the prayer I whisper when I realize my heart has drifted—“Lord, restore my joy. Bring back my spark.”

So how do we get that spiritual enthusiasm back?
We go back to doing what we did at first.
We walk with God daily.
We trust Him daily.
We worship Him daily.

It’s not about mustering up fake excitement—it’s about letting God refill what life has drained.

And here’s the beautiful part: when your heart is “in God,” even ordinary moments—washing dishes, working, caring for others—become sacred.

So maybe today, instead of waiting to feel enthusiastic, we choose to be enthusiastic… in God.
Because the joy of the Lord really is our strength—and that’s something the world can’t take away.

Get your "Chazaq" back!

I don’t know about you, but sometimes it feels like the world has been running on fumes lately. Everywhere you turn, there’s bad news, heavy headlines, and hard days. It’s easy to get discouraged — and even easier to stay that way.

But God’s Word reminds us that we have the power to change that atmosphere — with just one word of encouragement.

Think about it: one kind word, one text, one moment of grace can completely turn someone’s day (or even their life!) around. You never know what battle someone is fighting behind that smile. And your words could be the spark that reignites their hope.

Job’s friends didn’t get that memo. When he was suffering, they blamed him for his pain. And Job finally said, “What miserable comforters you are!” (Job 16:2). Ouch. Then he added something beautiful: “If it were me, I would encourage you. I would speak words of life.”

That’s it. That’s the kind of person I want to be — someone who builds others up, who reminds people that God is still for them, still with them, still working in their story.

Because as Hebrews 3:13 says, “Encourage one another daily.” Not occasionally. Not when you feel like it. Daily. Why? Because the world’s negativity doesn’t take a day off — so neither should our encouragement!

And let’s be honest — sometimes the person who needs the most encouragement… is you.

I love the story of David in 1 Samuel 30. His life had just fallen apart — his home burned down, his people taken, his own men ready to turn on him. And Scripture says, “David found strength in the Lord his God.” The Hebrew word for “found strength” is chazaq (say it like “ha-zahk!”). It means to encourage yourself, to tell yourself to be strong.

David literally preached to himself.
He reminded his heart of who God is — good, faithful, powerful, and present.
He talked himself back into hope.

And maybe that’s exactly what we need to do, too.

When the negative voices get loud — both in your head and in the world — it’s time to preach to yourself.
Tell your soul what’s true:

“God is my provider.”
“God is my protector.”
“No weapon formed against me will prosper.”
“The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

You might just find your chazaq coming back.

So today, if you think something kind — say it.
If you think something loving — show it.
If you think something encouraging — express it.

Let’s be people who speak life into a weary world.
Because when we lift others, God lifts us too.

Cultivating God Confidence in a topsy turvy world

Let’s be honest—staying optimistic isn’t easy when life feels uncertain. Insecurity sneaks in with one awkward silence, one odd look, or one discouraging thought. But true confidence doesn’t come from believing more in ourselves—it comes from trusting more in God.

David said, “My heart is confident in You, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing Your praises!” (Psalm 57:7).

When we remember who God is, our insecurities lose their grip.
Here are three quick truths to anchor your soul:

1. My God is for me.
   “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). You don’t live for God’s approval—you live from it.

2. My God helps me.
   “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” (Hebrews 13:6). His presence changes everything.

3. My God is still working in me.
   “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” (Philippians 1:6). You are a work in progress—and God isn’t done yet.

So, when insecurity sneaks in—when the silence is loud, when the doubts are heavy—preach to yourself. Remind your soul who God is, and who you are because of Him.

“Why so downcast, O my soul?
Put your hope in God.” — Psalm 42:5

You can be optimistic in a topsy-turvy world because your confidence doesn’t come from what’s in you, but from Who’s in you.

And here’s the best news: God is still cheering, still helping, still working—because God is crazy in love with you. 💙