A Struggle or a Joy?
Passion & How to (Re)Find It
The word itself comes from the Latin root “passio,” or suffering. Passion applies to an emotion that is deeply stirring or ungovernable. It is hard to think of suffering without inferring some intense and long-lasting pain.
I find this etymology interesting. Many people today use “passion” in the positive sense of following your deepest interests or going where your talents and gifts lead you. Do what you love!
Bob Lonac 
Let's Talk About Biblical Passion
"Passion" persists when used in either of those ways defined above. It also controls us to a large extent. That is probably why self-control is listed among the fruits of the Spirit in the Bible. You have to control your passion and harness it for good.
The passion of Christ refers to the last week of His life on earth, heading to His death on the cross. Christ was willing to die to accomplish His mission, no matter the cost. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
While studying at seminary, I read a book called Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, also known as The Acts and Monuments. It is a work of Protestant history and martyrology by Protestant and English historian John Foxe. The book, which described the suffering of Protestants under Queen Mary I's rule, reached English readers when they needed guidance and support. It helped them feel justified in their struggle to remain loyal to what they believed to be the true religion. And often, that commitment to what they believed in led to their death.
Do you have a passion you are willing to die for? Jesus said he came not to judge but to save the world. We read in John 12:47: “For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.” Jesus died for His passion so you and I can choose to walk into a living relationship with God.
What's Your Passion?
God wants us to live full lives fueled by His Holy Spirit so that we can live with passion. Sometimes it’s suffering, and sometimes it’s a joy — but it can always be experienced with the grace of Christ.
Do you have that deep sense of calling and a sure knowledge of love that leads you to give up all for the sake of following Jesus and the way He is calling you to walk in?
How to (Re)Find Your Passion
I think the last few years for all of us have been a test of passion. The pandemic was like a great muddling in many ways. Burnout skyrocketed. You’re not alone if you feel like you lost track of what you feel called to do.
Luckily, there are many ways to lean on God to spark your passion, but it frequently starts by listening.
Re-read Psalm 46:10. Consider how the Lord might be inviting you “be still” and know that He is God. Find some quiet time to reflect: where have you sensed or responded to God’s presence in ways words can’t describe?
What would it mean to wonder, ponder, and pray about this question? It just might ignite a new passion.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons lived from about 150–200 AD. His quote is on my wall: “The glory of God is man fully alive.” It’s one of my favorites and arguably the best definition of passion I know.
Those who see God receive life and passion.
For this reason, God — who cannot be grasped, comprehended, or seen — allows Himself to be seen, comprehended, and grasped by humans so that He may give life to those who see and receive Him.
