| Are you thriving or surviving? Be truthful. In the evening are you exhausted and just happy to have made it through another day? Are stress and worry; rather than joy, peace and passion fueling your life? Then you’re probably surviving and not living in a state of optimal wellbeing.
There’s a huge difference between surviving and thriving. Survive means to “continue to live or exist, especially in spite of danger or hardship.” Thrive means to “prosper, be fortunate or successful, to grow or develop vigorously; flourish.”
Survive mode is characterized by:
- Choosing the path with the least resistance
- Experiencing lack rather than abundance
- Reacting rather than responding
- Complaining and blaming others for your circumstances
- Feeling inauthentic and stuck
- Fearing failure and viewing it as a sign that things are going wrong instead of seeing it as a necessary part of success
Thrive mode is characterized by what psychologist Martin Seligman refers to in his book Flourish as experiencing PERMA:
- Positive emotions
- Engagement and flow
- Positive Relationships
- Meaning
- Accomplishment
Each season in life is a gift. Even if a season doesn’t seem to live up to your expectations. A way to truly thrive through each season is seeking out the purpose of the season. Also try offering God your talents and worship throughout the season. Our circumstances don’t determine whether we thrive or not, our attitudes and heart posture help determine our level of thriving.
How willing we are to stay planted in seasons while offering those around us our gifts and talents determines how we thrive. God has called us to more than one role in life.
Ask God how He desires to use your gifts throughout your current season. You will begin thriving in that season once you are following His instructions and utilizing your gifts. God created us uniquely with good plans.
Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” |
