Dopamine as Fuel for Faith’s Transformative Power
The New Job Offer!
Sarah is a single mom and workforce professional who has dedicated years of hard work in a job that doesn’t fully satisfy her, but she needs the income to feed her children, so she stays. The new boss recognizes her and gives her an offer for a new position with better pay, more autonomy, and the promise of greater responsibility. As soon as she gets the offer, excitement rushes through her. She will soon move out of the “get by” lifestyle and into one of thriving. Dopamine floods her brain—she’s filled with anticipation and a sense of achievement, eagerly imagining all the successes she’ll experience in the new role.
However, the initial thrill begins to fade after accepting the offer and starting the job. The reality sets in: the 
new position comes with a mountain of paperwork, challenging relationships with coworkers, and the pressure to perform. To make matters worse, she is expected to arrive earlier and stay later than she used to. Her pay raise no longer amounts to an increase because of the additional childcare support that she must address.
The dopamine rush of anticipation disappears, replaced by the chemicals tied to the mundane “here and now”—stress, routine, and the pressure of meeting expectations. What once seemed like the dream job now feels more like just another day at the office, and the excitement she once felt has fizzled.
More, More, More!
Authors Daniel Lieberman and Michael Long, who penned The Molecule of More, delve into the science behind dopamine—the brain’s motivator for desire, ambition, and the pursuit of “more.” Dopamine is the chemical that causes us to seek new experiences, to push for success, and to chase after satisfaction.[1] However, this unending quest for more can often leave us feeling unfulfilled, especially when the counter “here and now” chemicals take hold and remove the feeling of joy and excitement.[2]
Dopamine and Faith
As people of faith, our desires should not be fueled by short-term dopamine highs but by a deeper, lasting satisfaction found in aligning our passions with God’s purpose. While dopamine shapes our motivations, followers of Jesus are called to discipline themselves to redirect these desires toward a higher calling, offering fulfillment beyond temporary cravings.
Dopamine, the “molecule of more,” drives our craving for success, achievement, or pleasure. This push for the next big thing can be essential for progress, but as Lieberman and Long note, it can also lead to dissatisfaction and restlessness. We chase the dopamine high, only to find that the excitement fades once the goal is reached, leaving us to pursue the next fix.
The Bible often speaks of hope and vision as powerful motivators. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”[3] The thought of something better is akin to the dopamine’s drive for “more”—the belief that something greater is on the horizon, which is particularly essential for people living in vulnerable circumstances such as in prison or foster care.
Yet, unlike the fleeting excitement that wanes when “here and now” chemicals take over, faith is what anchors us in the promise that the “more” we seek is not shallow or temporary but eternal. Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-20: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”[4] The anticipation of an eternal reward, not a temporary dopamine-driven one, is where our hearts should point.
While dopamine motivates us to work hard and pursue dreams, faith calls us to redirect that energy toward God’s purpose. Our desires should draw us closer to God, not just toward fleeting pleasures. Lieberman and Long discuss how dopamine keeps us fixated on what’s out of reach, fueling a constant craving for “more”—a perfect metaphor for how humanity seeks satisfaction in the temporary. But faith teaches us that true contentment is found in seeking God’s will above all else.
[1] Lieberman, Daniel Z., and Michael E. Long. The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity-and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race. First trade paperback edition. Dallas, TX: BenBella Books, 2019.
[2] Ibid XVI
[3] “Proverbs 29:18 – Bible Gateway.” Accessed November 20, 2024. https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Proverbs%2029%3A18.
[4] “Bible Gateway Passage: Matthew 6:19-20 – New International Version.” Bible Gateway. Accessed November 20, 2024. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206%3A19-20&version=NIV.
About the Author
Jennifer Eckert
Fundraising director, people connector, believer in second chances, fights poverty, supports justice reform, lives a life integrated with Matthew 25.10 responses to “Dopamine as Fuel for Faith’s Transformative Power”
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Jennifer,
Great job. I appreciate the connection of the book to a simple story and the way that dopamine levels off once we get what we want. Do you think that the anticipation of the “eternal reward” is a dopamine hit as well? If we think eternally do we experience dopamine when we do?
Thanks, Adam. I do think the idea of an eternal reward could trigger dopamine, but the “hit” would not be the same. The difference is about worldly satisfaction vs. temporary fleeting rewards.
Jennifer,
Your opening vignette is so realistic.
As I consider your work with prison ministry, I wonder what role dopamine has in the lives of inmates that are Christian. Where does dopamine wane and hope and faith sustain?
Thanks, Jeff –
I believe that dopamine helps to motivate incarcerated people to pursue better circumstances. But the hope and faith in God’s promises will truly sustain them through the difficulties of life in prison.
Hi Jennifer, thanks for your post! Do you see any practical ways that this book will guide in you in supporting those who are incarcerated?
Thank you, Christy –
The quick dopamine fix is an easy but short-lived way for people to cope with trauma and struggle. The most lasting way to help those who are incarcerated is to address the spiritual poverty within their heart, which is more lasting than a quick chemical hit.
Hi Jennifer, I liked the faith focus of your blog. In what ways has or could dopamine positively affect your faith journey?
Thank you, Kari – I think, like everyone, the dopamine hit is a nice, easy fix; however, “coping” through Christ is more meaningful and lasting. To be honest, I often don’t necessarily recognize the “Jesus instead of dopamine” moment as it happens. It usually is an a-ha moment after the fact, leading me to recognize just how present Christ is in my life whether I see him or not.
Hi Jennifer, Your post was clear and well grounded in our need to be connected to our faith rather than our mundane world needs and desires. However, my mind went where Adam’s did in a way. Sometimes being in prayer or attending a service brings a connection that helps us feel closer to God than other times. Do you think there is any relation to those time with dopamine? This is not meant to be rhetorical, I am really curious on your take because I am wondering if that is simply God’s gift for the here and now or His gift to keep us coming back to Him. Thanks for your thoughtful post. Peace.
Thank you, Diane. I definitely believe that being in prayer or attending a service can help us feel closer to God. For me, that “vibe” generally happens when I am worshipping in prison. There is something very grounding that reminds me of the level playing field. We are all sinners saved by our father. Meeting Jesus behind razor wire is hands down my favorite place to church (dopamine). There have been times when the room felt like it was full of steam – almost like you could cut it with scissors. The only reason is the presence of the Holy Spirit. Thanks for asking it differently. I understood it better this second time.