by Patty Williams, Certified Life Coach
Do you ever have thoughts such as “how am I going to get through this”, “my world is spiraling and I don’t know what to do” or “are things ever going to become normal again?”. If so, you are not alone. The good news is that you can thrive during even the most difficult of times. Yes THRIVE… not just survive. Webster Dictionary states the definition of thrive as (1) To grow vigorously: flourish. (2) to prosper (3) to progress toward a goal despite or because of circumstances. I want to thrive, to flourish, to prosper, how about you? Where do we start?
Let’s start with our thought life. Is there a pattern of negative or fearful thoughts in your daily life? Do you sometimes feel as though you are on a roller coaster, gliding up with joy only to plummet down with anxiety? I have been there! Years ago, I struggled with the roller coaster thought life. I loved the Lord, knew Him as my Savior but still grew weary with my inconsistent way of thinking. I remember the encounter with the Lord as clear as if it were yesterday. February 13, 2001, I went to bed very discouraged because of the “roller coaster ride” in my mind. Not only for that day but it had become a pattern of thinking for me. I cried out in desperation to God that night. He answered my prayer! That very night I physically and spiritually felt His touch and can tell you I have never been the same.
Psalm 34 has become one of my most treasured scriptures. Please take time to read and study this beautiful portion of God’s word. It will be gourmet dining to your soul.
Here are a few things I would like to share that has helped me grow throughout the years. Those thoughts you may struggle with, snatch them. Quickly. Don’t allow them to take root. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “..for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…” (New American Standard Bible) The weapons we are to battle with are not the weapons valued by the world, such as pride, arrogance and self-sufficiency. Our battle weapons take aim at the things that attack our mind and thought pattern. Grab that thought, put it up against the light of the Word of God and let the truth reign in your mind and heart. Choose to believe God and settle there.
Have sweet confidence and fierce faith. There will always be issues of people questioning, doubting or even greatly disagreeing with our faith in Christ. There will also be times of testing our faith by our own circumstances. In James 1:3, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he tells us that the testing of our faith produces “endurance” (NASB), “steadfastness” (English Standard Version), “patience” (King James Version), and “perseverance” (New International Version). Remember the definition of thrive/flourish from the first paragraph? Glance back up and reread that definition. According to 1 Corinthians chapter 13, if we have all knowledge, can quote the Bible, give the answers, provide for the needy and even have great faith, if we don’t have love it is useless and has done nothing good for the kingdom. Sweet confidence and faith that is fierce is the unwavering, rock solid, life changing conviction of believing and being a disciple of Christ, the One and Only Way, with an attitude of love. It can stand face to face with opposition without the name calling, finger pointing or ugly Facebook posts.
We can thrive! We can flourish! We can take every thought captive and grow in Christ no matter what the circumstances are around us. We are called, equipped and blessed with the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen!
