When Passion Fades

What feels gone may only be growing deeper roots.

I used to love helping people - and now…

I had a clear picture of how I was going to do that - and now…

That was me, about 10 years ago - wondering where my desire, my passion had gone.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to help others - to pour into them, to see them become who God created them to be. That desire once burned bright.

Then something changed.

Not all at once, so I didn’t notice at first. But when I did, I tried to soldier on - yet little by little, the light dimmed. Piece by piece, it began to fade.

I tried to hold it together. To hold on to what was left - afraid I was losing myself, losing what I was meant to do, ashamed to admit that the passion I once felt so strongly… was fading.

At the beginning, passion feels electric - that drive to make a difference, to change the world, to build a vision that does all that.

Then one day, you look up and start to wonder if your passion was ever real.

Was I wrong? Did I just get caught up in the moment? Was it duty I mistook for desire?

But is passion ever truly gone?

Not when it’s one planted in your heart by the Creator Himself.

Whether it was born from experience, pain you want to prevent, or a stirring deep inside - He placed it there. (James 1:17)

So, what if this moment - the quiet, confusing in-between - is actually an invitation?

To breathe.

To see what was true passion and what was momentary excitement.

To rediscover what He’s placed in you - and who you’re becoming through it.

I thought my passion was gone. But then I felt Him whisper:

“Give it to Me.” (Psalms 55:22)

Not just the passion - but the hurt, guilt, shame, and regret.

The disappointment too.

Because sometimes what feels gone is only buried - under life, expectations, exhaustion, or lost hope. Under hurt, pain, disappointment, or regret.

We try to hold on to passion with our own strength, but we were never meant to sustain it alone. (John 15: 4-5)

So, what do we do - hold tighter or let go?

I believe it’s a delicate dance of surrender - that’s what it’s been for me.

One of holding on firmly, yet gently, with open hands. Ready to catch. Ready to release.

And of letting go.

Because when we hold too tightly, passion can’t breathe - it can’t grow, evolve, mature, or be shared.

And letting go isn’t about giving up - it’s giving it back.

Letting go of how you thought it would look.

Of who you thought you’d become through it.

Of bringing Him your passion (and your lack of passion too) - and letting Him lead. (Proverbs 3: 5)

So that He can shape it into what He meant it to be - and connect it with your purpose in His time and in this season.

Because all of it, all of this, serves a purpose - to be renewed, to take your passion from a bright, uncontrollable flame to a steady, sustainable fire.

If you’re willing to walk with Him through it.

The questions, the wondering, the weariness - they’re part of this journey too.

And in this work of helping others, of building your vision, the fire may fade.

It doesn’t mean the calling is gone. It doesn’t mean you failed.

He knows what He placed inside of you, and He intends to bring it forth. (Philippians 1:6, Ephesians 2:10)

And true passion always returns. Even when it feels gone, it’s never lost.

Sometimes it returns all at once, as you step into what you were created to do.

Other times, it returns in pieces - a spark here, a stirring there.

And when it returns, it returns stronger than ever.

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Take a Moment

As you read this, what thoughts came to your heart about your passion?

Where have you felt it start to fade?

Take a moment to talk to God about it - ask Him what He’s doing with it in this season.

If you’d like, send me a message and let me know. I’d love to encourage or pray for you.

And if you know someone with a vision that helps others that would be encouraged by this, share this post with them using the icons below.