Thrive

We all go through tough seasons. Whether it's a relational trial , or a physical ailment, or a logistical nightmare, Jesus knows how we feel. He has provided a way for us to survive these storms of life. But even more than a way to survive, He has provided a way for us to thrive! Let's explore this beautiful truth together.

When I was going through a time of digestive health issues, the Lord was teaching me to trust Him to be more than enough for me. He met me in aching and weakness in a way that was profoundly precious. I’d definitely never reverse those difficult days or trade them for anything. They were God’s gift to me to teach me how to thrive in Christ.

Sometimes thriving looks a bit different than we imagine it should. Sometimes thriving looks like joy in weakness, rather than in strength. Sometimes it looks like love that withstands hatred, rather than love that is met by kindness in return. Sometimes it looks like the comfort of God in the face of physical pain, rather than through relaxation. Thriving is kind of funny that way - it sneaks up on you when you’ve given up seeking happiness, freedom, or healing on your own, when you’re finally just staring at Jesus - and then suddenly - wham! There you are - thriving!

Jesus came so that we would have abundant life in Him (John 10:10). He also said that in this world, we would have trouble (John 16:33). So what gives? How do these two promises connect? I think that in order to grasp that intricate connection between trouble and abundance, we have to ask God to adjust our understanding of what it means to thrive in Jesus.

Sometimes, patience (also called “longsuffering”) can be a slipping virtue. We’re probably all heard that “patience is a virtue”, but what happens when that virtue starts to slip from slight, waning like the moon does, growing tinier each day as we plow through the sludge of pain? What happens to our thriving at that point? We may be tempted to believe that it’s gone, but that’s a fairly shallow estimation of the power of God to fulfill His promises.

Thankfulness is patience’s fuel. When thankfulness begins to become fleeting within our souls, a straining note barely audible to the ear of faith, that’s when the Holy Spirit of God miraculously shifts our fading focus - off of the desires we’ve clung to, and straight onto Jesus. That’s when He turns our eyes back to the cross, back to salvation by grace through faith in Christ to God’s glory! And we take a step back and exclaim, “I am so blessed because I belong to God and my citizenship is in Heaven. This world - my life - it’s not going to last. But my relationship with Jesus - that is eternal!”

And that’s how believers in Christ absolutely thrive in every circumstance. It’s not that we are super optimists who always see the bright side and have super thick skin. No, not at all. It’s just that we are super realistic, in that, by God's grace, we can see the heavenly side of things and have super strong confidence that God will one day redeem everything that is torn, even us.

When I was dealing with weakness, I wrote a poem which I taped to the ceiling above my bed. When I wouldn’t feel well and needed to spend time in bed, I’d look up and see the poem. It reminded me that right then and there, that very day, I was thriving in Jesus. It was a reminder to myself to adjust my expectation of what thriving means and to turn my eyes upon Jesus through the help of the great Helper, the Holy Spirit of God.

I am sure that as you’re reading this, whoever you are, you can think of things in your life that are hard, taxing, and maybe even quite painful. Don’t wait until your suffering has passed in order to thrive in Jesus. He is there right now, completely ready to take your hand and cause you to miraculously thrive right where you are. He may not change your circumstances, but when you ask Him to change your heart - to help you understand the gospel, that unflinching joy that you can have in eternal life with Him - He will fill you with the most abundant life imaginable! And that really confuses the rest of the world, but you’ll know why you’re still smiling, and so will Jesus. That’s what it means to ever thrive in Jesus’ name!

Here is the poem God gave me:

"When patience is a slipping virtue

Waning in the sludge of pain

This longsuffering seems longer

Thankfulness, a fleeting strain

I must shift my fading focus 

From desires I’ve clung to

Off of disappointing weakness

To seek gratefulness in You

Now for what should I be thankful?

Is my discipline complete?

Is my gladness fabricated? 

Now, perhaps, I’ll truly meet

The end of vain pursuit and pleasure

Thus to taste in vision strong

That the greatest gift and blessing: 

Jesus- He’s my strength and song

Let the waves of ache and trembling 

Be the force of melody

That in present deprivation

I may foretaste victory

Let the hunger and the longing 

Be the thrust of honest song

For the anthem, ever rising

Has been Your gift all along

Jesus has endured cruel anguish

Now in pain, I harmonize

With the Author of salvation

Scorn and shame, I too despise

Yet as You endured and conquered

For the joy words can’t contain

So may I, in boundless blessing

Ever thrive in Jesus’ name"