There is a difference between surviving and thriving. The two words are not synonymous – to survive and to thrive are not the same thing.
To survive means to “continue to live or exist”. When you live from survival mode, you are living from a position of just “trying to make it through” – just to make it through the day – just to make it through school – just to make it through the week – just to pay the bills – just to get to the weekend – just to make it to retirement.
Living from survival mode often feels like you are stuck in a cycle of monotony, doing the same thing again and again. It is a place often filled with worry, fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. You are not sure about the future. You are not sure about tomorrow. You are not sure if things will get better.
Friends, you were not made to survive life, or school, or work, or your family. Surviving is for those who have no hope.
But that’s NOT you!! You belong to Jesus, and you are God’s child. You belong to the greatest source of hope ever!!
God never intended for His children to live from survival – this is not His plan. We are not supposed to live “just to survive”. We are supposed to live and THRIVE!
To thrive means to flourish, to grow vigorously, to do well and prosper, to be in health, and to be successful.
~ We are supposed to live an abundant life, a peaceful life, a God-filled life!
~ We are called to point people to hope, to love, to peace, to restoration, to reconciliation.
~ We are made to live from our God-given purpose!!
In Jeremiah 29:11, it says…
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
In John 16:33, the Bible says that we were made more than conquerors through Jesus Christ! No matter what happens, or what comes our way, we will overcome!
God has already planned for you to have a prosperous, victorious and hope-filled future. He has already paid the price for everything you need to flourish and live an abundant life.
What we need to do is change our mindsets, and move from fear, anxiety and doubt. The way we think, the things that we say about ourselves and our situations, and the things we believe about God all affect the way we live. We need to believe that GOD IS GOOD to us ALWAYS, period! He is LOVE towards us ALL of the time, period! He is not the author of anything bad, or evil, or destructive. We need to move in FAITH – believing that God will do what He said He will do, and He will fulfill ALL of His promises to us!!! Friends, know this today – the plan for you is not survival – it is not for you to live in fear, anxiety, or uncertainty. It is not for you to live in lack. God’s plan for you is to THRIVE! In every area of your life, He wants you to THRIVE!!! You can rest assured today, that God is for you, and He is with you!!! You will THRIVE!!
Pastor Christine Hassan