02-19-2023 How to Thrive…Not Just Survive
Text: Philippians 4:4-8; Colossians 3:12-17
Even though we have faith, sometimes we get to a point where we lose hope and feel as though we’re struggling and fighting to just survive each day. It’s safe to say the pandemic and the issues related to that have caused financial and emotional problems for many people and it’s hard for many to see a way past it all. Well, the good news is there is always a way out and we can prepare ourselves so the difficulties of life don’t prevent us from thriving instead of just surviving. Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that He came so that we could not only have life but have it more abundantly. What does He mean by an abundant life? He specifically contrasted the life He wants to give us with the thief who comes to steal and kill. He wants us to have a life with Him that’s rich and satisfying because it’s eternal, and it’s more meaningful than life without Him because of His overflowing forgiveness, love, and guidance. Yes, we will have storms that may drag us down and perhaps even cause us to question our faith. But our Paul shows us five ways in which we can discipline ourselves to behave in ways that will allow us to thrive and not just survive, especially when we find ourselves stuck at a dead end with no clear pathway out.
The first three come from Philippians 4:4-8 where Paul writes: “(4) Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say, Rejoice. (5) Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. (6) Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Verse 4 tells us we are to rejoice in the Lord always. But he doesn’t mean for all things. Instead, we are to rejoice in all things. In other words, no matter what circumstance you may find yourself in, always be thankful. Keep in mind this is coming from a man who was writing from prison. Even though he was locked up, Paul was able to take delight in the fact that he is a child of God and that he has salvation because of Jesus Christ. As Christians, so do we! We should not let our outward circumstances dictate our inner attitude. So, the first discipline we must develop and grow is to be thankful. Thank God for everything, and particularly the things that are normally taken for granted such as waking up each day day, having a place to live and food to eat, the salvation given salvation through Jesus Christ, and the privilege of prayer that helps to overcome anger and allows the ability forgive others. When you allow yourself to forgive others, no matter what they may have done, it lifts a tremendous weight off of you and takes away all the power the transgressor had over you. It’s not our job to take revenge on those who hurt us or treat us unfairly. It’s God’s. Let Him do His work. It’s a proven fact that people who live a thankful life are much happier.
The second discipline is found in verses 6 and 7 where Paul says we are to pray expectantly, with thanksgiving, and without worry. We used to sing a song in Sunday school that says “why worry when you can pray? Trust Jesus, He’ll be your stay. Don’t be a doubting Thomas, rest fully on His promise, why worry when you can pray.” We all have things that can cause us to worry. But Paul says we must turn our worries into prayers. Never forget that God always answers our prayers. Jeremiah tells us in 33:3, all we need do is call on the Lord and He will answer and show us great and mighty things. James tells us in in 1:6-8 that we have a choice to believe and receive; or doubt and go without. Which do you think is the better way? When you pray, listen to what God has to say and always thank Him for all the good work He has done in your life, in the Church, and in the world. Sometimes it’s hard to see God in the world but He is there and He is in control. When we train ourselves to pray this way, we’re promised the peace of God that passes all understanding. When you have God’s peace, you can survive anything this world throws at you.
The third discipline found in verse 8 tells us that we should always speak kindly. This is a hard one because it involves more than speech. How we use speech is an outward reflection of what’s in our heart and mind which then comes out in our words, actions, and desires. It’s easier to speak kindly with someone when we thing positively about them, focusing on their good traits rather than their faults. Focusing on their negative qualities will make it just about impossible to speak to them kindly. As Christians, we’re to fill our hearts and minds with things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Examine what you’re absorbing from movies, books, conversations, TV, radio, video games, newspapers, magazines, music, and the internet. And, always look at the example that Jesus gave us when He walked this earth as a man. Remove everything that hurts your relationship with God, Jesus, and other people. As you strengthen this discipline, you will find that it takes less of your energy to be kind.
The next two disciplines – to forgive quickly and to live worshipfully -- are found in Colossians 3:12-17 where Paul writes: “ (12)Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (13) forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do you. (14) And above all these things put on charity [love] which is the bond of perfectness. (15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body [the church]; and be ye thankful. (16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (17) And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” Here Paul is telling Christians to live for God day by day, to imitate Christ’s compassionate, forgiving attitude, to let love guide our life, to let the peace of Christ rule in our heart, to always be thankful, to keep God’s word in our heart at all times, and to live as Jesus Christ’s representative.
The ability to forgive quickly begins by remembering how much God has forgiven us. If it’s difficult to forgive someone who has wronged you then focus on God’s infinite love and forgiveness you have received to help you love and forgive others. God sacrificed His Son so each one of us can be forgiven. Let God worry about the wrongs you have suffered. Don’t waste your energy in bitter fighting and holding on to grudges. Instead, live renewed in the love and joy of Jesus. Christians are told to live in peace. This doesn’t mean that suddenly all differences of opinion are eliminated, but it does require that Christians lovingly work together with others despite their differences. This kind of love isn’t a feeling. It’s a decision each must make in order to meet the needs of others. Paul opened the passage with the words ‘put on.’ He is saying we are to prepare ourselves ato live in love that leads to peace between individuals. If problems in our relationships with others result in conflicts or uncomfortable silence, consider what you can do to heal those relationships with love. Approach every aspect of life through the love of God. Don’t separate the sacred and the secular. Sure it’s easy to live these behaviors in church, but it’s often difficult when you’re out in the world. But if you do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, it will become second nature.
So to summarize, in order to thrive and not just survive no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, we must discipline ourselves to live thankfully, pray expectantly, speak kindly, forgive quickly, and live worshipfully. These are life skills that can be used in every aspect of our lives. By working hard with the help of Jesus to develop, I promise that not only will you survive until you get to Heaven, you will be amazed how you will thrive. Each day of your life you will have the opportunity to grow, develop, and succeed in ways you could not have imagined. And you will experience the peace of God that passes all understanding.
May the Lord bless and keep you, may He shine His light on you, show you grace, and give you peace in the days ahead.