Thriving is Here

It’s easy to view thriving as a future-bound gift.

No matter what season God has me in, I find some way to look ahead. When D and I were dating, I couldn’t wait to be engaged. We got engaged, and I was anxious to finally be married. Now? I dream of what our life will be like once we have children, once I’m finally done with school, once we purchase our first home… you see where I’m going with this.

I’m sure you’ve been there. And I’m pretty certain that, in some way, you’re there right now. Maybe you’re waiting for a job, a person, a dream to come to fruition… an escape hatch from your current season?

Whatever it is, you’ve decided that once you’ve grasped it, you’ll be launched into a season of flourishing.

If you’ve chatted with me the last few months, you’ll know I’ve been running hard. I’ve got a mental list of how I want to adjust my circumstances, and I’ve been charging full-speed toward the next season.

I’ve woken up thinking about these future changes. I’ve gone to bed praying for them. I’ve asked God again and again. I’ve even thrown a few tantrums in the process–it’s hard to admit, but it’s true. It’s easy to think I’m handling everything by myself and doubt that He is still working.

Even in my discontent and distrust, God has been so kind. He gave me the word “thrive” as a focus for the year, and He’s been faithful in teaching me how. Today I’ll share a little bit of what I’ve learned.

Thriving requires roots.

They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.

Jeremiah 17:8 (NLT)

It’s better to be rooted than running ahead.

Most importantly, we must be rooted in truth through spending time in God’s Word, in prayer, and with edifying community. In the midst of looking forward to the next season, it’s easy forget to cultivate good habits in the present; however, these things are not simply a nice thing to do, but a need. We need Him and we need His truth!

Another way to be rooted? By fully embracing where God has placed us. The tasks, the people, the sickness, the monotony–all of it.

This one can be so difficult, and I’m still so tempted to run as fast as I can toward the future. But when I wake up and decide to embrace all that God has specifically placed in my life, my whole day changes. When I wake up wishing away the whole season, it’s hard to see much good in the day.

In my experience, we have to pray. A LOT. His strength will see us through.

It takes two.

Speaking of His power: we have to learn to crave it. In a season of waiting or struggle, we will want to go it alone. It won’t be natural to ask Him to intervene because we feel like He’s intentionally left us on our own.

Dear one, God is walking alongside you when you are certain He has left. His involvement is not to squash your dreams or frustrate you. He cares more about our future than we ever could. Do you believe it? He is for you.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:31-32 (ESV)

It’s available here and now.

Can we drink deeply from truth today? Yes.

Are we able to put roots down in wherever we’ve been planted? Absolutely.

Is He with us even now? Of course.

NOTHING is stopping us from thriving, friends. It is not for tomorrow, next month, or next year. We have access to thriving and fullness today. Let’s take hold of it!

Tell me a verse in the comments that helps you thrive in the everyday! Let’s build each other up in truth. And thank you, as always, for reading.