Genuine Faith in God Outside of Emotional & Spiritual Highs
A few months ago, I was riding along the interstate with my husband. The lush green canopy of Western North Carolina stretched out around us. In the distance, the Blue Ridge ridgelines undulated softly, and the city we’d left behind shrank into the haze. As I watched, I said aloud what I had been wrestling with for a long time:
“Is this walk with God only going to be full of small moments?”
After leaving much (if not most) of the hypercharismatic practices behind, I had wondered: was that sense of “awe and wonder” lost?
One thing I left behind was the constant chase for a new prophetic word. That drive bred anxiety in me. Whenever life felt off-kilter, I would scramble to discern what God was saying, to feel His presence tangibly. But a few weeks later, that emotional rush would fade—and I’d be chasing yet another word.
There’s a lot fundamentally broken in that posture. But before delving there, let me return you to what I asked my husband that day. In truth, what I was really asking was: Now that chasing the dramatic encounters is behind me, is this life with God going to feel... boring?
Looking back, I see how the Holy Spirit was stirring in me. And I realize now: “small” is not the same as “insignificant,” and “quiet” is not the same as “boring.”
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For many who have left—or are wrestling with—hypercharismatic teachings, the fear that walking with God is dull outside of emotional highs is real.
I believe this matters deeply, regardless of theological labels. This has to be the foundation of our faith; otherwise, it’s a faith built on rocky ground.
In the months since I voiced that question, the Holy Spirit has pressed it upon my heart again and again. I had no idea how foundational that question was for my faith.
What Is True Faith?
The reason I was always chasing the next prophetic word was that I doubted God’s work in my life. At the heart of it was a problem with how I viewed God’s character and my role in His plan for my life.
Am I doing enough for God?
Am I walking in what He has for my life?
Will I miss the calling He has for me?
The burden weighed on me.
When I pushed away that burdened theology, I didn’t always have a clear replacement. I knew the old posture wasn’t biblical—yet liberating myself from it didn’t immediately bring clarity. Over time, I’ve walked alongside others as they release themselves from that burden, too. And believe me: it’s such a relief when you see that being a “perfect Christian” was never your assignment.
Fast-forward to now, after wrestling with that question: Is life with God only composed of “small moments”?
God is doing deep work in me. He’s revealing His sovereignty over every detail of my life. This has revived the sense of awe and wonder again in the Maker of the Universe. In His character. In His sovereignty.
Much of life, I was taught by pastors that God only has good plans for our lives. If something bad happened, Satan must have slipped through God’s fingers—or else God was turning a blind eye. And even worse: perhaps it was my lack of faith that caused it all.
What a theology rooted in fear and self-blame. One that couldn’t be farther from biblical truth.
Here are some scriptures that have spoken to me recently:
“Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love. For He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.”
—Lamentations 3:32–33
As the Methodist theologian Adam Clarke put it:
“It is no pleasure to God to afflict men. He takes no delight in our pain and misery: yet, like a tender and intelligent parent, he uses the rod; not to gratify himself, but to profit and save us.”
God is not only sovereign—He is intimately at work in every detail, even the smallest.
How do I know this? Jesus Himself taught it:
“Look at the birds of the air … your heavenly Father feeds them … Why do you worry? Can any one of you add a single hour to your life by worrying? … If God clothes the grass of the field … will he not much more clothe you?”
—Matthew 6:26–30
Across Scripture, one theme stands out to me now: God wants our faith not just in what Jesus did (and He desires that), but in God’s character,
“Without faith it is impossible to please God… anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.”
—Hebrews 11:6
So let me ask you: Do you truly believe God is loving? Do you believe He’s working all things together, behind the scenes—especially when you don’t see it?
An easy way to determine if you do have faith in God’s character is how you handle trials in life.
It’s normal to have questions and doubts. We all do. But if you find yourself on a rollercoaster of emotions, constantly wondering where God is and what He is doing or if He even cares…I would lovingly tell you that you don’t trust His character.
Or maybe, you don’t know it.
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
—Proverbs 16:9“Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked?”
—Ecclesiastes 7:13
It’s clear that God does make things crooked in our lives, and no matter what we do, we can’t change course. The goal is this: that we might be conformed to the image of His Son.
Are you beginning to see what I see?
The God who was sovereign at the beginning of time is still sovereign now.
He has the same care over the smallest details of your life as He does the biggest details.
That job you’re applying for? If it aligns with His will, the door will open.
Unsure of the season you’re entering? He already knows and is guiding your steps, even (and especially) when you don’t see it.
Dealing with health struggles? Whether here or in eternity, He is true to His promises.
Parenting in a dark world? God created your child for this moment. He has a plan for their life.
God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want just because our faith is “strong enough.” And that’s a good thing. His plan is far greater than our agendas.
I’m profoundly thankful He’s not a cosmic genie somewhere up in space who grants my whims or “manifestations.” I can’t begin to reckon with everything that’s best for me.
But I am thankful for a Father who does know what I need.
Today, I live with fresh awe and wonder. Whatever God has for me is exactly what I need. He’s actively at work—guarding me from accidents, lighting the way ahead, steering my steps.
Each day with Him is a gift I don’t want to waste. The One who spoke galaxies into existence cares about your worries, your to-do list, and your deepest fears. How amazing is that?