The God-Given Need for Excitement and Fulfillment
Inside every human heart is a deep, undeniable longing—a craving for excitement, adventure, and meaning. It’s not a flaw. It’s not random. God Himself put it there.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says:
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart…”
This longing is meant to point us toward purpose—to ignite a fire that drives us to fulfill our God-given destinies. That spark you feel? It’s meant to lead you into a life that is alive, vibrant, and satisfying in Him.
From a psychology perspective, this aligns with what Abraham Maslow called the need for self-actualization—the drive to live out our fullest potential. When this God-designed need is ignored or misdirected, frustration, emptiness, and even destructive habits often take over.
When Purpose is Missing
For many, the education system pushes us toward careers based on societal expectations or financial security rather than God’s calling. We end up in jobs that pay the bills but starve the soul.
We proudly say, “I’m a doctor,” or “I’m an investment banker,” but deep down, a quiet emptiness grows. Without connection to God’s voice, we live out someone else’s version of success, never truly discovering our own assignment.
Proverbs 14:12 warns:
“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”
This “death” is not always physical—sometimes it’s the slow death of passion, joy, and inner peace.
The Counterfeits We Turn To
When God-designed longings are unmet, the human soul will still try to satisfy them—even if it means turning to unhealthy or shallow substitutes. This happens because our brains are wired to seek reward and meaning. If we don’t find these in God’s presence and purpose, we will look for them elsewhere.
How This Shift Happens
- We feel the emptiness.
You wake up and sense something’s missing. You’re “functioning” in life, but joy is absent. - We look for quick relief.
The human brain craves dopamine—the “pleasure chemical”—to lift our mood. Activities like drinking, scrolling social media, or shopping can trigger a short-term dopamine hit. - The pleasure fades quickly.
The rush never lasts because it’s not meeting the root need—which is spiritual and purpose-driven. - We go back for more.
Because the emptiness returns, we repeat the behavior… often with more intensity, leading to cycles of addiction or dependency. - The soul darkens over time.
What once brought excitement becomes normal, and the emptiness deepens, leaving us spiritually and emotionally drained.
Common Counterfeits People Turn To
- Substance highs (alcohol, drugs) temporarily numb pain and mimic joy.
- Sexual escapism (pornography, casual relationships) imitates intimacy without real connection.
- Overconsumption of entertainment (TV binges, gaming, endless scrolling) distracts from deeper issues.
- Materialism (chasing fashion, luxury cars, and gadgets) tries to buy identity and worth.
- Workaholism creates the illusion of purpose but often masks fear of stillness or insignificance.
- Social validation (likes, followers, attention)—offers a counterfeit sense of belonging and approval.
- Food indulgence—not from hunger, but to soothe emotional voids.
- Busyness—filling schedules to avoid facing our inner reality.
The Spiritual View
The Bible describes these substitutes as “broken cisterns that cannot hold water” (Jeremiah 2:13). They may look like they can hold life, but they leak—leaving us dry again.
Jesus, on the other hand, offers living water (John 4:13–14)—a source of joy and satisfaction that never runs out.
The Psychology Behind It
Psychologists call this cycle the “hedonic treadmill” — the phenomenon where no matter how much pleasure we experience, we quickly return to our baseline level of happiness and need more stimulation to feel the same high.
This is why replacing counterfeits with God’s purpose is the only lasting solution. Purpose aligns with the deepest wiring of the brain, meeting both spiritual and psychological needs in a way that empty highs never can.
The Path to True Fulfillment
I’m not here to simply tell you to “stop drinking” or “quit pornography.” The real solution is not willpower — it’s transformation.
The starting point is this: Talk to God. Ask Him to speak to you, to show you His plans for your life. Let Him heal the deep wounds and voids that drive you toward empty pursuits.
Ephesians 2:10 says:
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Your first calling is to be loved by God. From there, you are called to serve others with your unique gifts.
Drifting: The Danger of a Self-Focused Life
Napoleon Hill, in Outwitting the Devil, describes “drifting” as living without a definite purpose or aim, allowing circumstances and habits to control you. People who drift live for self-gratification, never anchoring themselves in service to others or obedience to a higher calling.
From a biblical lens, drifting is like being “tossed back and forth by the waves” (Ephesians 4:14). Without God’s direction, we wander aimlessly — busy but unfulfilled.
Serving others doesn’t just benefit them; it anchors you. Science backs this up: studies on altruism show that helping others increases life satisfaction, reduces depression, and even improves physical health.
The Transformation Invitation
- Ask God, “What: “What did You create me to do?”
- Let Him heal: Allow His Spirit to touch the deepest, hidden places in your heart.
- Live from identity: Know you are loved first, called second.
- Serve others: Align your life with acts that bless people, and watch your joy multiply.
When you walk in your God-given purpose, the thrill you’ve been chasing will no longer come from fleeting highs—it will come from living fully alive in Him.