How To Begin To Find the Abundant Life

During a recent conversation with my husband, our discussion circled around to fishing, and how it doesn’t happen much anymore. I always enjoyed fishing, not because I caught a lot of fish, but because I was outside and usually with my family or friends.

Even if I had no catch at the end of the outing, there were blessings from just the opportunity to go. There were the relationships I cultivated with whoever I went with, the time to be still, the outdoor beauty to soak in. 

Any fish I did catch was a bonus.

Funny how my perspective changed when life hit harder.

When motherhood was put on a forced hold, when I faced loss, when my daily “catch” wasn’t what I had hoped for, I got stuck in focusing on the lack instead of the abundance still present.

I could no longer see the opportunity in just being. I missed the gifts still bestowed on me.

Sadly,  it’s something most of us tend to do. When life gets hard, we anguish over the missed opportunities while closing our eyes to the present possibilities and interwoven blessings.

We anguish over missed opportunities while closing our eyes to present possibilities and interwoven blessings. Click To Tweet

What if?

Funny how when it comes to a good life, we tend to think in terms of the results, what we feel and hold and accomplish—what we have to show for our efforts (or don’t have) and what has happened to us along the way.

But what if a full life—a life lived well—is more about what we are given than what we are dealing with?

What if living a life of abundance is more about what we do with our circumstances and the gifts that are interwoven in them, rather than what those circumstances are? 

What if a full life—a life lived well—is more about what we are given than what we are dealing with? Click To Tweet

How To Begin To Find the Abundant Life

One thing I do know is there will be struggles in each day, even when living an abundant life. 

A joyful, peaceful existence isn’t one of everyday rosiness. Instead it’s having complete confidence that you are not alone when you walk through the thorns.

That alone is reason for joy. We aren’t in this alone, not by a long shot!

Even more comforting is that as random as this life may sometimes seem, our circumstances are anything but. God is in and among each one.

It’s when we acknowledge His sovereignty, we can begin to find true peace in the midst of even the most difficult trials. 

Because as the supreme Authority and our loving Father, we can be assured, “Everything that comes into [our lives], everything that happens in this world, is filtered through [God’s] fingers of love” (Bible teacher and founder of Precept Ministries, Kay Arthur).

And He will only allow what is ultimately for His glory and our good. 

Reflections: During your trials, do you consider God’s sovereignty and what that means for you? Is that a comfort? How so?

I’m excited to continue recording blessings this year. Since beginning over 3 years ago, I’ve counted more than 3,500 gifts in Ann Voskamp’s Joy Dare! What a blessing! So here we go in 2015: #3828–3848, read my entire list by clicking here.

By His grace ≈

Julie