4 Ways to Endure for 2026. Enthusiasm vs Motivation: How To Stay Fervent, Bold, and Victorious by the Holy Spirit in 2026

You know the feeling—new year, fresh vision, faith stirred, desires from your heart written down, excitement high is flowing. The kids are back in school, routines are settling in, and something in you says, “This year will be different. I want to go further than last year.”

But let me ask you something honest: Have you ever started a year on fire for God—full of vision, faith, dreams, and ambition—only to find yourself exhausted, discouraged, and wondering by mid-year… What happened to my fire?

You’re not alone.

This year, if you're like me, I'm done with not finishing what I started. I want to carry a fire that actually lasts, and keep moving forward throughout the year with the things God has placed in my heart. Are you with me? Alright, let's do this!

I titled this blog, 4 Ways To Endure 2026, and the first episode of She Speaks Life for 2026 “Enthusiasm That Endures” because so many of us are great starters—but not always great finishers. We sprint out of the starting gate, full of excitement, only to hit fatigue somewhere along the way.

January brings fire. March brings fatigue. By summer, discouragement creeps in. And suddenly, momentum is gone.

Then we begin to question ourselves:

• Maybe this isn’t meant to be?

• Maybe I heard God wrong?

• Maybe I should try something else?

And without realizing it, we stay stuck in a cycle of always starting—but never finishing.

My heart for you is this: That the truths in this message would strengthen your spirit and carry you all the way through the assignments, dreams, and desires God has placed in your heart.

Motivation vs. Enthusiasm

One of the biggest reasons we burn out is because we’re responding with motivation instead of enthusiasm.

Motivation isn’t bad—but it’s fleeting. It’s fueled by emotion and feelings.

Enthusiasm, on the other hand, is fueled by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 12:11 (AMP) says:

This is not temporary excitement. This is sustained fire. Aglow means having an intense enthusiasm; being so hot in spirit, it's like a pot of boiling water that spills over from the heat.

What Is Biblical Enthusiasm?

The word enthusiasm comes from the Greek roots en (in) and theos (God). It literally means “in God" "God within,” “full of God,” or “God-inspired.”

Enthusiasm is being full of the Spirit of God, actively engaging in obedience, faith, and purpose.

This kind of fire isn’t sustained by human strength.

This verse was spoken during a time of rebuilding of the temple. There was opposition, and discouragement—and the prophet was bringing encouragement to the leaders and to the people. This powerful message still applies today. What He calls you to do will not be accomplished by your own power and strength, but by His Spirit.

The Foundation: Daily Time in the Word

Before we talk about sustaining enthusiasm, we must talk about the foundation.

Jesus said:

Jesus is saying, We need spiritual nourishment daily. It's not enough to live with physical bread. We need His Word to live, like oxygen to our bodies.

James 1:22 reminds us:

Transformation doesn’t come from just reading Scripture—it comes from applying it. When we do what The Word says it becomes who we are, it's revelation taking root into our hearts. In James it says, "Faith without works is dead." In other words, faith without action is lifeless.

Four Ways to Endure For 2026

1. Words and Thoughts: Speak Life

Words are not just sounds—they are seeds.

What we speak shapes what we experience.

I learned early on to guard my words—especially when raising my children. I refused to speak negatively like most people around me about toddler years and teen years. Instead I chose words that were life giving and spoke that every stage of my kids lives I will enjoy. As small as that may seem to make a decision to not run my mouth like the others, I saw the fruit of that choice. What we chose to speak will be our reality. What we expect is often what we experience. Plant seeds where you want to see a harvest.

Our thoughts matter just as much.

Philippians 4:8 tells us to think on what is true, honorable, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy.

If the enemy can control our thoughts, he can influence our actions. That’s why we must reject lies and replace them with truth.

I believe declarations matter. In fact, inside each episode I teach there are words of affirmation that we can speak over ourselves.

It's powerful, try it now, and say it out loud:

• In Christ, I can.

• Doors are opening in my favor.

• I am equipped for every good work.

• Good things are coming my way in 2026.

I’ve seen this power firsthand—in healing, in overcoming fear, and in aligning my body with the peace already present in my spirit.

2. Daily Surrender: Trust Over Striving

Surrender isn’t passivity—it’s trust.

When we surrender, frustration lifts and strength is infused.

Surrender requires humility, it's yielding to The Holy Spirit to do things His way and not our own way. The fact is, God is a gentleman. He won’t force control—so we must release it.

When we stop striving and start trusting, we flow in grace instead of burnout.

Daily surrender means:

• Listening in prayer

• Casting cares to Him

• Letting Him lead step by step

  
  

His voice is often found in the still, small whisper—not the noise. We need to get ourselves away from distraction. Through dynamic prayer of talking with Him, listening to The Holy Spirit, and being in His Word, we will hear Him.

3. Gratitude: The Shift That Sustains

Gratitude isn’t based on circumstances—it’s a heart posture.

Thank God for:

• What He’s done

• What’s in your hands now

• What He’s about to do

Gratitude shifts our focus from burden to blessing, from lack to abundance. When we praise Him before we see it, we position ourselves to receive it.

4. Discipline: The Bridge From Where You Are To Where You Want To Be

Discipline is where many of us resist—but it’s essential.

Motivation starts things. Discipline finishes them.

Discipline is choosing obedience over convenience. It’s consistency in the unseen moments.

A sound mind is a disciplined mind, a disciplined mind is a renewed mind. Discipline in biblical terms is practicing the fruit of self-control. In fact another version of 2 Tim. 1:7 says, "......power, love, and self-control." Our minds must develop self-control (discipline) and be submitted to the authority of God's Word in order for us to receive where God wants to take us.

For instance, if you're getting discouraged with timing in growth or if what you're doing even matters. Remember this verse in Zechariah 4:10 "Do not despise small beginnings," and the examples we get to glean from--David who started as a shepherd later to become King. Gideon was hiding when God called him a mighty warrior. Esther, an ordinary girl that chose to be faithful to God and became Queen. God sees the end from the beginning. There is no overnight success—only faithful obedience.

A Final Encouragement

If you feel like you need to start again—you didn’t fail. Get up. Apply these principles. Keep going.

Ask yourself:

• What dream has God placed in my heart?

• Which of these areas do I need to strengthen?

This kind of enthusiasm—Spirit-fueled, disciplined, surrendered, grateful, and anchored in truth—will carry you well beyond 2026.

God is faithful. His Word never returns void. It always goes forth to accomplish and fulfill. Let’s walk this year out with enthusiasm that endures.

To hear more on this, tune in to this two-part episode on She Speaks Life Podcast.