How ready are you to abandon survival and start thriving? Truly living an abundant life. The life you were created to live. The life you dream of living. The life Yahweh has planned for you, and has had planned for you since the beginning of time. Does that blow your mind? It does mine. Even when He was creating the earth, He was thinking of me. Little, tiny speck me. Anyway, I digress.
So how do we live an abundant THRIVING life? Is there anything in the Bible about it? Is it even Biblical to live an abundant life? I submit to you, that it is Biblical. Totally and completely Biblical.
Let's look at some examples to see how Biblical it is!
First off, Abraham comes to mind. He was wealthy. He was living His best life until Sarah convinced Him to lay with Hagar for their promised child. One way the Bible is comforting to me, is that is shows real people, with real problems. Abraham's life wasn't without problems, we will have those, we're human.
We read about Abraham making mistakes, even sinning. Yet, we also read about His blessings. Large herds and flocks. Many servants.
What was the difference between Abraham and his nephew Lot? Abraham continually came back to Yahweh. Lot did not. He chose to go his own way, time after time. Abraham CHOSE to trust Yahweh time after time.
I have wondered, do you think that Abraham grumbled to his friends? Do you think he complained and talked about getting even with Lot? Do you think he WANTED to get even? OR do you think he chose to bless Lot and release him? I think he chose to bless Lot and release him. He chose to not dwell on what Lot had done, or what his herdsmen had done. He chose to not dwell on Lot taking the best land, he blessed and released him to live his life.
Lesson #1, bless and release.
Lesson #2 do not dwell on the wrong done to you.
Lesson #3 continually turn to Yahweh, and trust Him.
The next example is from Yeshua.
A life that is thriving is a life that is not worrying. A life that is thriving is a life that is trusting in Yahweh for everything, always, taking no thought for tomorrow and tomorrows troubles.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life? Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these! And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, won’t he clothe you even more, you people of little faith? So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:25-34 emphasis mine
Yeshua talks about eating, drinking and clothing basic needs for life, right? He doesn't mention anything beyond that. Why do you suppose that is? I submit to you it is because, if He will take care of the basic needs, He will take care of any needs beyond those. Also, if you are pursuing His kingdom and righteousness, then all these things will be given to you. When you are pursuing relationship with Him, building His kingdom and living righteously, you have nothing to worry about. He will give these things to you.
That is true, isn't it?
I mean, let's look at Romans 8:28 ... And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose ...
All things work together for good for those who love God, look at that, He will take care of everything for us. If there is someone or something trying to work against us, He is there working it for our good. If circumstances are not in our favor whatever they may be, He is there working things out for our good.
Is your mind a little blown again?! Mine is. He is always looking out for us and making sure things are working in our favor. The enemy can not do anything to us, that He is not aware of.
These may seem like big steps to take to start thriving, however, from experience I can say they work.
Remember that saying, Let go and let God? It still applies. Always has and always will.
Lesson #4 believe Yahweh will work in your life and provide for you
Lesson #5 He cares for the lily's of the field, you are more valuable to Him than they are. He will care for you. Trust Him.
Lesson #6 do not worry, take your thoughts captive so that you are not worrying!
How will you implement these into your life?
How will you start thriving?