Inspiration. It’s like the light in your eyes. Something that helps you envision and pushes you to achieve what you have seen. And if this light goes out, life can be pretty dull and even meaningless.
Today, I wanted to talk about staying inspired.
Yes, life is beautiful but let’s face it – most of the time life can be pretty mundane, stressful, tiring, disappointing and sometimes outright depressing. I have spoken to numerous singles and couples in the mission field who have struggled with this. Dan and me have spent long hours with friends and co-laborers in the feild who have lost their inspiration – Trying to journey with them in this path that we know too well. Though I started writing this blog for people in ministry, I realize it is applicable to all.
So yes. How do you stay inspired? I asked this question to a bunch of friends from all walks of life – evangelists, pastor’s wife, people working in the corporate world, photographers, worship leaders. I must admit – I received some pretty insightful answers. I have added my own experience as well. Hope it helps you. So here we go!!
Connect to the source of all inspiration – Ok this is a no brainer! God is the source of all life. He sustains life. Acts 17: 28 “In him we live and move and have our being.” Life cannot have any value or meaning or inspiration without the creator. But the more you spend time with him the more you will receive from the life source. So pray, worship, read your bible, meditate on his word, confess it. John 10: 10 says “have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” God wants you to have an full life – one that is inspired and fruitful.
Find someone who has walked the path – What do you dream of being? What do you dream of doing? Identify what is draining your inspiration. Is it hurt, burnout, physical ailment, emotional baggage? Find someone who has walked the path to guide you – mentor you. They are a living proof that it can be achieved.
Find value – so you lost your inspiration in what you are doing? Remind yourself why you got into it the first place. I’ll be honest. As a pastor’s wife, there were many days in my life that I did not want to go to church let alone lead worship or pray for people. I would have dragged myself to do it. But at church when I saw the faces of the people worshiping or the joy and hope in the eyes of those I prayed for, I thought to myself, “This is worth it!” I can lay aside anything I am going through to see people get closer to God. That’s why I am in it!
Invest in your growth - Learn new stuff . To see oneself grow is always motivating. Depending on whether you are dominant left-brained (analytical) or right-brained (creative) or both, learn something new. Pick up an instrument, learn a new language. Invest in a technical skill. There is more to life than what you are living. Achieving milestones motivate you.
Fire begets fire. There is a reason why scripture emphasizes on fellowship. After all they say you become who you surround yourself with. Spend time with people who have the same goals and passions as you. Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
Learn to unwind and pamper yourself – Some of you must be wondering. Did I just read it right? Yes you did. Sit back, assess where you are and pat yourself on the back. Let’s face it – all of us want to hear a “good job” once in a while. Many a times you will not get the acknowledgement or affirmation you want from people. I cannot emphasize enough – Be good to yourself!! Go for a long drive, watch a movie, sleep in on a Saturday morning – love yourself.
Practice discipline and as Gary Vee famously says “hustle” – It’s not about the feeling. Somedays you need to push past the “feelings” and “keep on keeping on”. And the next day when you look back you would have inspired yourself. Confession – I was not very “inspired” to write today. But hey – look I’m almost done!!
Have a confidant – A confidant is someone who believes in you, is for you and with you in your public best and your private worst. James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. Bishop T. D Jakes says that “if you have 2 or 3 of them in a lifetime, you are a blessed person” Click here to listen to Bishop Jakes share this life changing secret.
There you go. Let me know which point you found the most applicable or liked the most!
P.S. All said and done, there are some things in life you will never be inspired to do. For me it is cooking! Believe me, I am not a bad cook. Actually, I think I’m pretty good at it. But that one task, my friend, is something I could totally outsource for life!
Peace.
Mridula
About the Author:
Wife to Danston, Mridula is a worshiper and a teacher in the body of Christ. She works in the field of data analytics and consulting in the pharmaceutical domain. She hails from Darjeeling, India and needless to say loves her Darjeeling tea!