Thin Air, High Hope

Confession: There’s an aspect of my personality that I’m not fond of—my motives.

Motives are tricky. They’re the hidden “whys” behind our actions, and to be honest, mine often leave much to be desired.

The word “motive” is defined as a reason for doing something, particularly one that’s concealed or not immediately apparent. I find myself relating to the Apostle Paul, who said, “So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.”

For years, I’ve grappled with this dilemma. I set out to do something good, but almost instantly, I question my reasons. Am I trying to please others or just avoid looking bad? More often, my actions are driven by fear—the fear of not being enough or not doing enough good. It’s as if my motives always find a way to twist into something less noble.

However, I’ve come to a realization: I don’t have to be a slave to my motives. I can challenge them, debate with myself, and shift the “why” behind my actions. If I’m calling someone back out of guilt, for instance, I can reframe my reason by focusing on the value of our friendship. In this way, I have the power to identify and select the right motives for doing good things.

Sure, my questionable motives may continue to whisper doubts into my ear and heart, but I’m prepared for a lively debate!

Curious…

• I listed fear as one of the main (unfortunately) motivators in my life. What would you say is one of your primary motivators (positive or negative!)?
• Are there any strategies that have helped you maintain, or attain, positive motives?
• Have you had an experience where altering your motive has enriched your feelings toward an action or decision?