3 Things to Rediscovering Your Faith
Danny Gokey on Finding God Beyond Performance Mode
When you think of a successful musician like Danny Gokey, it’s easy to assume that his connection with God is always strong and unwavering. But when we asked him when he’s struggled with feeling distant from God, he told us it occurs most often when he finds himself slipping into “performance mode.”
“The moments that I feel the farthest from God is when I’m in performance mode, when I write,” Danny shares. He explains that this mode of operation is conditional, making him constantly question, “Am I doing enough?” Such an approach can strain any relationship, especially the one with God. It turns the relationship into a transaction rather than a bond built on the unconditional love God so desires to give us.
How to Move Beyond Performance Mode
Danny highlights the core of a healthy relationship with God: “Why do we love God? Because He first loved us.” Recognizing the performance mode has been freeing for him. “One of my favorite things is just getting to know the Holy Spirit and how He guides me,” he says. For Danny, the guidance often comes in the form of Scripture that resonates deeply with him, providing clarity and peace.
A practical takeaway for us from Danny’s experience:
- Embrace God’s Unconditional Love: Reflect on the truth that God loves you first, beyond your actions and performance.
Search for Daily Guidance from the Holy Spirit
Danny said, “I had this picture in my head the night before. I was noticing this hotel. I was like, ‘Wow, this is actually a really beautiful hotel.’ But I’ve been in other hotels where I’m like, ‘Man, this floor is falling apart!’ Like there’s damage on the sink. And this picture related to me. This is the story of our lives. If we let go of the Word of God and we don’t follow, the Holy Spirit will begin to fall apart.”
Just as a neglected hotel room shows signs of wear and tear, so too does a neglected spiritual life.
Recently, Danny confronted a personal struggle with anger. “I’ll be completely transparent. I was dealing with anger issues recently, and I know where it’s coming from. But if it wasn’t for the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, I would have just kept falling apart. But the Holy Spirit woke me up with Galatians 5:1 which was ‘therefore, since you are free in Christ, stay free.’”
This Scripture helped him recognize his missteps and make necessary corrections, much like repairing damage in a hotel room to restore its former glory.
Danny continued, “When you start reading it, you start realizing, oh, I’ve been in the flesh, and these works are coming out of it, and the fruit of it. So that quick correction helped me like the hotel, helped me repair the floor, helped me repair the damage. And it got me back into a real pristine place. I’m just so grateful for that.”
Another practical takeaway for us from Danny’s experience:
2. Seek Daily Guidance: Spend time in prayer and Scripture each day to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and address any emerging issues.
Perform Continuous Spiritual Maintenance
Danny warns, “The flesh will always revert back to the old ways…As long as we’re in these bodies, it’s going to go back.” Therefore, like maintaining a hotel or house, regular spiritual upkeep is essential. Neglect can lead to significant problems that are harder to fix later on.
Listening to the Holy Spirit is key.
Danny describes the Spirit as “the counselor, the advocate, the comforter” who helps us make quick fixes before issues become overwhelming. By staying attentive to Holy Spirit guidance, you can address small issues before they escalate, maintaining a pristine spiritual state.
The final practical takeaway for us from Danny’s experience:
3. Regular Spiritual Upkeep: Make regular spiritual practices a priority to maintain a healthy and strong faith. This includes prayer, reading the Bible, and staying connected with a faith community.
Danny said, “So, the Spirit of Truth, who is helping us—the Counselor, the Advocate, the Comforter— He’s over here, and if we listen, He’s saying, ‘Hey, this is happening, but it’s a quick fix, boom! We’ll get it taken care of and you’ll feel free again.’”
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