Thrive

It is easy to excuse ourselves from thriving when a season comes upon us that looks anything but thriving. However, I want to let you in on a little secret, there is no perfect time to thrive. You may ask, ‘If there is no perfect time, then how do I thrive?’

When everything is going well it becomes almost effortless to thrive. When all our plans are going according to what we had laid out, and there are no obstacles in our way, we blossom, we prosper, we grow, we thrive. What about when circumstances change in our life, or a season like COVID-19 comes along? Can we still thrive when seasons are not ideal?

The Bible tells us right from the start that we have been created by God in His image? In the beginning God said let’s create man in our own image. Genesis 1:27. This means God poured Himself into His creation, us. We know God is creative and He is always producing (thriving). If God is a creative, thriving God, and He created us to be His image bearers, then that is who we are and what He created us to be also. When He created us in His image, He also commanded a blessing on us to thrive. Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it’. Genesis 1:28a.

HOW DO THRIVE THEN?

The first thing we need to remind ourselves of is that God did not create us to just survive, He created us to thrive. The second thing we need to remember is, God is for us, not against us, and He promises to walk with us every day of our lives. Thirdly and most assuredly, He has an answer for every question, every situation and every challenge. We are on the winning side. The enemy will tell us differently, but we have a choice of who we are to believe. Are we going to choose to believe God’s truth, His promise and command to us, or are we going to allow the enemy to direct our focus to the ‘storms of life?’ Of course we don’t ignore challenges that come our way, but we don’t allow them to consume us either. With this in mind, we have to ask ourselves which boat are we going board. Are we going to board the boat of circumstances which distracts us from our goals, our growth and our purpose? Or, are we going to stay in God’s life boat and allow God’s compass to guide us? God’s vessel keeps us focused on the path He carved out for us for our life?

God’s life boat knows how to navigate the changing seasons and the unexpected circumstances. His compass, who is the Holy Spirit will encourage us to face those circumstances head on and give us the inner strength to rise up and say; ‘Things may look different right now, however, I am going to adjust my sails to push through the winds of change and continue to allow God to navigate this boat towards the place I know I am destined to land.’ 

In the adjusting of those sails you may need to alter some plans, however, don’t alter your goals. There is a quote I read recently which sums up what I am trying to say; ‘If the plan you had laid out to get to your goal doesn’t work, change your plan, BUT NEVER CHANGE YOUR GOAL.’ (No-one in particular is claiming this quote so I will 🙂 ).

Keep the big picture in mind of what you want to achieve and where you want to go. Ask yourself; ‘How can I get there now that things look different?’ Write down some options. Be flexible. Don’t beat yourself up if things take a little longer. You can still thrive and move forward if you keep your eye on the big picture. Seasons in life are like chapters of a book. They are not the whole book, but one chapter. When reading a book, we don’t skip a chapter because it isn’t as as interesting as other chapters, we read it because we know we could miss something important that is relevant to the whole story. Every season is a season to be intentional about, whether it be easy or it stretches us. 

To thrive you need to both move and be anchored. James 2:22 tells us that to get to where we want to go, it can only happen by works and faith. Not one or the other. It’s moving and believing while being anchored in your convictions of who God created you to be.

Where are you anchored? Who anchors you? You need the right anchors for your boat.

Motivators are good anchors. They are those people who believe in you and champion you. They are ones who will encourage you to stay on track in pursuing your goals. They are the stabilisers in your boat when the waves of life crash over you. If you don’t have them, find them. We all need motivational anchors.

The Word of God is a vital anchor. It is the blueprint for your life which keeps you sailing in the right direction. Write down the word or words God has spoken over you and continue to declare it. When you get a Rhema Word from God, nothing will shake you.

The Holy Spirit is your ‘must have’ anchor. He is the anchor that leads you into all truth. It is the Holy Spirit who sharpens you, grows you and guides you. He is the source of revelation, wisdom and power. It is the Holy Spirit who reminds you of your status, who you are in Christ, a son or daughter of the living God. The Holy Spirit will continually remind you of your true north, where your destiny lies.

Let God confirm His heart and desire for you to thrive through His word.

Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually]. 3 John 1:2 (AMP)

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Genesis 1:27-28a (NIV)

‘We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.’ Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

‘As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another’. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

Stay thriving,

Deb