4 Essentials Everyone Needs to Flourish! Part 1

The godly shall flourish like palm trees…Even in old age they will still produce fruit and be vital and green. This honors the Lord and exhibits his faithful care.
Psalm 92:12-15 TLB

What do you think it means to Flourish? 

If we listen to social media or even our own wishful thinking, Flourishing means everything in life goes just as we dream. It is a good life: no inflation, no unpleasant people, no hard situations to face. It is a life of sunshine, fun, fulfilling work, happy family times, friends who love us and a God who answers every prayer we send up to Him.

We all know that life is not like that! So, can you FLOURISH in the world as it is?  In your world as it is?

Yes, we can. But the question is HOW? How do we flourish/thrive/move through life with a positive, Christlike attitude to what we experience in our world?

Do we just pray for God to magically change us, or our circumstances? Or does God invite us to actively participate in what enables us to flourish?

There are lots of ways we flourish as human beings, but there are four essentials we all need which I’ll cover in the weeks ahead. Regardless of our gender, marital status, finances, or health, we all need a:

• FAITH that is alive and growing
• FRIENDSHIPS where we give and receive love and support
• FITNESS, both physical, mental, and emotional
• FUN that brings laughter, joy, and delight

1^st Essential: A FAITH THAT IS ALIVE AND GROWING

We are called to Faith.  “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” Hebrews 11:6.

Believing that God communicates, sees, knows, acts and rewards those who seek him results in a faith that is alive evidenced by inner peace, calm, courage, and trust. This is our spiritual foundation that holds us steady and allows us to flourish emotionally in life’s storms.

We are called to Grow. “Grow in grace and knowledge” 1 Peter 3:18. Everything God creates is designed to grow—to develop, bloom, to fulfill God’s intended reason for its existence.  If this is true for plants, how much more for His people?

Spiritual growth and maturity require more than head knowledge. Nor are they simply a result of age or the passing of time. Soul flourishing comes from delighting in our relationship with God, feeding on His Word, serving others, and experiencing His living presence in our lives.

We are called to Trust. “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you” Isaiah 26:4.

Trust is the key to walking with strength through life. It is believing God’s promises that He is for you. He will never abandon you. He will be with you in the rivers and fires of life.  He will lead and guide you all your days and will bring good ultimately out of whatever happens in your life.

Choose to affirm these truths, live with them as the bedrock of your faith and God’s Spirit will not only flood you with peace, but also with overflowing joy and gratitude.