The Quiet Resolve: Becoming a True Disciple When the Fire Fades
- Bobby & Lisa Campbell
- May 18
- 4 min read
Imagine standing on a mountain peak, heart pounding, vision clear, vowing to change your life. You’ve just left a men’s leadership, ablaze with purpose. But two weeks later, the fire dims. The daily grind creeps back—work, family, distractions. That bold decision to live as a disciple of Christ feels distant, like a dream fading at dawn. Yet, deep within, a quiet resolve stirs. This is where true discipleship begins—not in the roar of the moment, but in the steady, unseen steps that follow. How do you keep walking when the emotion fades? How do you become the man God calls you to be?
The Story: A Man Named Caleb
Caleb sat at his kitchen table, staring at the open Bible he’d barely touched since the retreat. Two weeks ago, he’d stood with 300 other men, hands raised, tears streaming, promising to lead his family, serve others, and live with integrity. The worship music, the late-night prayers, the brotherhood—it felt like the start of something monumental. But now, the laundry was piling up, his boss was breathing down his neck, and his kids were bickering. The fire was gone. He wondered, Was it all just a moment? Am I failing already?
Yet, as Caleb flipped through the pages, he landed on Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” A spark flickered. He remembered the closing speakers explaining that discipleship isn’t a sprint; it’s a lifelong journey. The real test comes when the feelings fade. Caleb closed his eyes and prayed, not for the old fire, but for strength to take one step today. That night, he apologized to his wife for snapping earlier. It wasn’t flashy, but it felt like progress.
The Struggle: When Emotion Fades
Caleb’s story mirrors what many of you are feeling. The retreat was a mountaintop, a glimpse of the man you could be—a leader, a servant, a disciple. But emotions are fleeting. Neuroscience shows that intense emotional experiences, like those at retreats, spike dopamine, creating a “high” that naturally fades within days. The high isn’t the goal; it’s the starting gun. The real race is the daily grind, where resolve must outlast excitement.
Think about Peter, the disciple who boldly declared he’d die for Jesus (Matthew 26:35), only to deny Him hours later. Peter’s passion was real, but it wasn’t enough. Yet, after his failure, Jesus restored him (John 21:15-17), calling him to “feed my sheep.” Peter’s discipleship grew not in emotional highs but in steady, faithful service, even unto death. His story asks us: What happens when your passion wanes? Will you keep following?
The Undercurrent of Resolve
Discipleship, from the Latin discipulus (learner), is about learning Christ’s ways through practice. Discipline, its cousin from disciplina (training), is the structure that turns desire into habit. The retreat gave you vision, but resolve—fueled by grace—builds the life. Here’s how to nurture it:
Anchor in the Word: Scripture is your compass. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Read a chapter daily, even when it feels dry. Ask, What does this teach me about God? How can I apply it today?
Do the Next Right Thing: Big decisions are made in small moments. Like Caleb, start with one act—praying with your kids, inconvenience yourself for somebody, or owning a mistake. James 1:22 urges, “Do not merely listen to the word… Do what it says.”
Lean on Community: You weren’t meant to walk alone. Hebrews 10:24-25 calls us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Connect with a battle brother. Share struggles. Ask, How are you staying faithful? What’s holding you back?
Embrace Grace: You’ll stumble. Peter did. But 1 John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us.” Grace isn’t an excuse; it’s fuel to keep going.
Questions to Stir Your Soul
Pause and journal these. Let them challenge you to a higher standard with patience:
What specific commitment from the retreat feels hardest now? Why?
When have you let fading emotions stop you from following through? What did you learn?
What’s one small step you can take today to live as Christ’s disciple?
How might your family, other believers, or the community benefit if you stay resolved?
What fears or distractions are pulling you from God’s call? How can you surrender them?
The Call: Be the Man God Sees
Men, the leadership weekend wasn’t the finish line; it was the starting block. The world needs you—your strength, your humility, your faith. Your resolve to follow Christ will shape your family, your community, and every work you touch. Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Your disciplined steps, however small, will prosper because they’re rooted in Him.
Caleb didn’t become a perfect leader overnight. But a year later, he was leading a business with a great group of hand selected partners, praying daily with his wife, and teaching his kids about faith. The original fire felt never returned, but something better did: a steady resolve, built on grace, that made him a better man.
You’re not alone. God’s with you. Your brothers are with you. Take the next step today.
Call to Action: Text a battle brother today. Share one commitment you’re working on and ask him to pray for you. Then, pick one small act of discipleship—read Matthew 5, pray for your family, or serve someone—and do it before bed. Journal your answers to the questions this week. Let’s be men who don’t just feel the call but live it.
-Bobby Campbell
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