🔥 I Thought I Was Just Tired… But the Devil Was Winning

This week, someone asked me what I was doing for the Kingdom of God…and I didn’t have a good answer.

Not because there’s nothing—there are plenty of things in motion. But the fire that used to burn bright in me felt… dim. I realized I hadn’t been living with the same kind of zeal I once had. Not for the mission. Not for the Gospel. Not even for the people I know Jesus is calling me to reach.

And I knew it wasn’t because of exhaustion. It was something else: discouragement. Distraction. And if I’m being completely honest… laziness.

The very next morning, I opened my bible and this hit me:

“Fan into flame the gift of God… For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
(2 Timothy 1:6–7)

It was Jesus, (through Paul) was speaking to me. Directly. And I knew it wasn’t just some general reminder. It was a wake-up call.

Catholics Sharing Jesus hasn’t exactly taken off the way I’d hoped. Susie’s not feeling as called to it right now. And we’ve been exploring a new opportunity that I believe God is using. But I’d also gotten lazy—spending more time on YouTube or news than on the work God actually asked me to do. And the devil loves that.

Discouragement and laziness are some of Satan’s most effective tools. But Paul didn’t tell Timothy to wait around for inspiration. He told him to fan the flame. To choose courage. To stir up the Spirit inside him.

It’s the same for us.

This isn’t about chasing emotional highs or trying to do something “big” for God. It’s about being faithful—especially when things are quiet. Especially when we feel unseen. It’s about remembering Jesus’ vision and purpose for our lives and the eternal consequences of our actions…both for ourselves and others.

And one more thing I’ve been reminded of this week: rest is not laziness. We need rest. We need silence. We need to sit with God and be at peace. But we know in our gut the difference between resting in Him and lazily avoiding what He’s asked us to do.

Now it’s time for me to be done “lazily avoiding”.

We “fan the fire” within us by getting on our knees, and taking action when we are done praying. So I’m praying more (both talking and listening to Jesus). Writing again…with purpose. And speaking again…with boldness.

Jesus didn’t call me to comfort—He called me to witness. So I’m fanning the flame.

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Reflection Questions:

• What flame have you let die down lately?
• Is there something God asked you to do—but you’ve been avoiding it?
• What’s one bold, faithful thing you can do today to reignite your zeal?