I want to tell you about two leaders I know.
The first one is always “on.” They wake up at 4 AM. They hustle. They grind. They post about their relentlessness on social media. From the outside, they look like a rocket ship. But up close? You see the cracks. The short temper. The strained marriage. The inability to sit still. They are burning, but they are burning themselves up.
The second leader is different. They work hard, but there is a settled peace about them. They can rest without guilt. They can celebrate others without jealousy. They have been leading for decades, and somehow, the fire still burns. Not because they force it, but because it flows.
Same intensity. Different sources.
One has Hustle Fire. The other has Holy Fire.
Passion is the third Cornerstone of the Superhuman Framework. It is the fuel that keeps you going when the excitement fades, the critics get loud, and the results are slow.
But you must ask yourself: What kind of fire is fueling me?
The Myth of “Always On”
Our culture has lied to us. We think Passion means unbridled enthusiasm, 24/7. We think if we are not “obsessed,” we are not leading.
But real passion is not an explosion; it is an ember.
You cannot build a life on explosions. You build a life on a steady, tended flame.
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
Romans 12:11
Notice the word “keep.”
Passion is not something you “have” or “do not have.” It is something you tend. It is a discipline of stewardship, not a mood swing.
Holy Fire vs. Hustle Fire
How do you know which one is driving you? Check the fruit.
| Hustle Fire (The Flesh) | Holy Fire (The Spirit) |
|---|---|
| Source: Insecurity & Comparison | Source: Calling & Gratitude |
| Fuel: “I have to prove I am worth it.” | Fuel: “I get to steward this.” |
| Rest: Anxious. “If I stop, I lose.” | Rest: Essential. “I trust God with the outcome.” |
| Others: Threatened by their success | Others: Celebrates their success |
| Result: Burnout & Cynicism | Result: Endurance & Joy |
Check Yourself
When I take a day off, do I feel guilty or restored? (Guilt usually indicates Hustle Fire).
The True Source of Sustainable Passion
If your passion is tied to your results (revenue, growth, likes), your fire will flicker every time the market dips. You will be an emotional roller coaster that your team cannot ride.
For the Faith-Driven Leader, passion is anchored in who you are serving.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Colossians 3:23
The Secret: Work for an Audience of One.
When God is your boss, you can be passionate about the mundane. You can have “Holy Fire” for spreadsheets, for difficult HR conversations, and for slow seasons, because you are not doing it for the applause. You are doing it as an offering.
The 5 Stages of Passion
Passion is not static. It moves through seasons. If you do not understand the cycle, you will panic when the “feeling” fades.
Ignition
The start. Everything is new and exciting. (Enjoy this, but do not trust it).
Confrontation
Reality hits. It is harder than you thought. The “fun” is gone.
Commitment
The turning point. You decide to stay not because you feel like it, but because you are called to it.
Integration
Passion becomes character. It is no longer an emotion; it is who you are.
Renewal
The fire is stoked by new vision or new depth.
Check Yourself
Are you in the 'Confrontation' stage right now? Do not mistake a difficult season for a dead calling.
Continue Your Journey
Frequently Asked Questions
Enthusiasm is an emotional state that rises and falls with circumstances. Passion runs deeper. It is a sustained commitment that persists even when enthusiasm fades. You can have passion for something without feeling enthusiastic about it every day. Passion is what keeps you showing up when the feelings are not there.
Ask yourself: Can I rest? Do I celebrate others' success or feel threatened by it? Is my identity tied to outcomes? Hustle Fire is anxious, comparative, and cannot stop. Holy Fire works hard but rests well, trusts God with outcomes, and finds joy in faithfulness regardless of results. The fruit reveals the root.
First, distinguish between passion fatigue and a genuine calling to change. Sometimes passion fades because you need rest, not a new direction. Try reconnecting with your original "why," celebrating small wins, and creating margin for renewal. If passion does not return after genuine rest and reconnection, it may be time to explore whether God is redirecting you.
Passion is both discovered and cultivated. Some aspects are wired into your design by God. But passion also grows through engagement, learning, and seeing impact. You often do not feel passionate about something until you get good at it and see how it matters. Do not wait to feel passionate before engaging; engage and let passion develop.
Anchor your passion in something deeper than circumstances. For faith-driven leaders, this means rooting passion in serving God rather than achieving outcomes. Also: shorten your time horizon (focus on today's faithfulness), celebrate small progress, stay connected to your community, and remember that difficult seasons are temporary but character is permanent.