I’ve been struggling to thrive lately, pulled in every direction by
life’s constant changes. I’m thankful and content one minute, then
discontent or afraid the next as I remember all the unknowns and ‘what
ifs’of what lies ahead…
Meanwhile, I keep
thinking of the apostle Paul – a man who’d been through shipwrecks,
prison, and all sorts of things, yet learned to be content in every kind
of situation. I want to learn the same.
What does it mean to thrive when life is good, but my soul is still restless and discontent – hungering for something more?
How do I thrive when life constantly fluctuates from one extreme to the
next – full of joy and redemption; loss and grief; deep friendship or
loneliness, and daunting unknowns? Circumstances are ever changing. I
cannot thrive while I’m focused on my surroundings.
When I start
grasping for hope and stability in the world around me, I come up short,
floundering through every change and disappointment. But when I take my
question back to Scripture, Jesus draws my eyes away from my fears and
back to himself.
“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by
itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless
you remain in me.” (John 15:4)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”(Matthew 11:28)
“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” (Psalm 55:22)
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no
money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and
without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on
what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and
you will delight in the richest of fare.” (Isaiah 55:1-2)
“Blessed
is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD. For he
will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a
stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be
green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to
yield fruit.”(Jeremiah 17:7-8)
Over and over again, I see the same answer: Remember Me. Seek Me first. I am faithful.
This
begs the question, where is my hope? Can I look beyond today’s
uncertainty and rejoice in the God who holds the entire earth together?
Whether today brings laughter, tears, or exhaustion, it makes all the
difference to stop and remember whose world we’re in. What is it worth
to depend on our own strength or the outlook of our circumstances?
God is the one who puts breath in our lungs and sustains us moment by
moment. He sees us, He cares, and He holds each situation we face. If
only you will serve Him in righteousness, you will see the difference.
[by Anchored Voices]
