How many of us feel like Lent is a season of guilt? It is when we are supposed to “give something up” to prove we are serious about our faith. No chocolate, social media, or coffee—each sacrifice tests our spiritual willpower. But at the end of those 40 days, how many of us count down the days until we can return to normal? What if we’re approaching Lent all wrong?
Somewhere along the way, we turned Lent into a challenge to see what we can live without instead of an invitation to receive more of Christ. And maybe that’s why so many of us feel spiritually dry even while going through the motions. Because here’s the truth: God is not impressed by what we give up if our hearts remain unchanged.
Lent is not about proving our devotion. It’s about discovering God’s devotion to us—a love so unshakable, so unrelenting, it led Jesus to the cross. So, instead of treating Lent like a season of self-denial for its own sake, what if we saw it as a season of realignment—a time to shift our focus from the instability of life’s circumstances to the unshakable reality of God’s love?
When Life Feels Hard, Where Do We Look?
If we’re honest, most of us tie God’s love to our circumstances without even realizing it. When life is smooth, we feel confident in His love. When life falls apart, we wonder: Has God forgotten me? Does He still love me?
Suffering has a way of shaking our faith to its core. We search for evidence of God’s love in our finances, relationships, and health. And doubt creeps in when those things don’t look how we desire.
But here’s the problem: If we measure God’s love by our circumstances, our faith will always be unstable. Jesus never said, “You’ll know I love you because life will always be comfortable.” He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 (ESV)
The cross is the measure of God's love.
Not our emotions.
Not our success.
Not whether God answers our prayers exactly as we hoped.
And Lent is a season where we retrain our hearts to remember this truth.
How to Reframe Lent This Year
Instead of approaching Lent as a test of self-discipline, let’s step into it as a season of realignment. Here are three powerful shifts to make Lent more meaningful:
1. Give Up Measuring God’s Love by Your Feelings.
Our emotions are real but not always reliable. One day, we feel closer to God. The next, we don’t. But the truth of His love does not fluctuate with our feelings. “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 (ESV)
This Lent, let's consciously decide to stop interpreting God’s love through our emotions. When doubt creeps in, pause and ask:
“What does the cross prove about God’s love?”
“Is my faith built on my circumstances or His sacrifice?”
This one shift can bring deep stability to our faith.
2. Trade Empty Sacrifice for Intentional Pursuit.
Many of us fast from things during Lent—chocolate, caffeine, social media, shopping. And while fasting is biblical, it’s only powerful when it draws us closer to Jesus. Instead of asking, “What should I give up?” try asking:
“What is distracting me from hearing God’s voice?”
“What habit is keeping me spiritually numb?”
“What can I remove that will create space for deeper intimacy with Christ?”
Fasting is not about proving our strength—it’s about increasing our dependence on God. If giving up coffee makes us cranky but doesn’t lead us to prayer, it’s not serving its purpose. But if removing something creates space for more of Jesus, then it becomes a powerful spiritual tool.
3. Ask Better Questions.
Lent isn’t just a time to give things up; it’s a time to go deeper. Instead of just going through the motions, let's use this season to ask heart-searching questions that will transform our walk with God. Here are some to reflect on:
Where am I placing my hope? Is it in God’s love or in how easy life is?
What lies do I believe about God’s love? Have I tied His love to my success, relationships, or circumstances?
How can I make more space for God’s truth? What small but intentional change can I make to focus on Him?
This deep reflection makes Lent life-changing instead of just another religious tradition.
A Simple Way to Start This Lent
If you’ve ever struggled to honestly believe in God’s love—especially when life is hard—you’re not alone. I created "Love Proven: Finding Confidence in Christ's Sacrifice," a free 7-Day Lenten Devotional—a simple, powerful guide to help you break free from circumstantial faith and anchor yourself in the unshakable truth of the cross.
The daily reflections will help you:
Stop tying God’s love to your circumstances
Recognize and silence the lies of the enemy
Find deep confidence in the unshakable truth of the cross
Lent isn’t about proving your love for God—it’s about resting in His love for you.
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