Why Do I Feel Unfulfilled? (Living an Abundant Life)

I have plentiful work I can do from home that pays well. But that doesn’t bring an abundant life. 

I live in a state park. But that doesn’t bring an abundant life.

I am blessed with a husband devoted to his family. But that doesn’t bring an abundant life.

I have four children who are generally kind and mostly choose to do what is right. But that doesn’t bring an abundant life. 

I am healthy and have a loving, large, extended family. But that doesn’t bring an abundant life. 

I live in the world’s richest country and have a roof over my head, a heater and air conditioner, a pantry filled with food, and closets and drawers bursting with clothes. But that doesn’t bring an abundant life. 

I possess nearly everything the culture says brings a life of abundance, yet I still have moments and days where I am dissatisfied.

I suspect you do too. 

Why do I feel unfulfilled?  

Do I just need more, one more thing, that final touch, to bring fulfillment?

For years, I thought having everything I wanted would bring fulfillment. That if God just granted me all the details of my plan, it would be enough. 

But the only way our plan is enough is if that plan is surrendering to God. Surrendering all we possess. Surrendering our desires. Surrendering even our good things for His best. 

Having plenty in this life does not bring fulfillment, because the things of this world do not bring Life. Not a life that really matters. Not a life that lasts for eternity. 

Having plenty in this life doesn't bring fulfillment, because the world's things do not bring Life, only Jesus does. Share on X

We can drink our fill from this world’s wells and still be thirsty. We can have all the bread of this world and still be hungry. 

An abundant life can never be found in this world. Abundance is only found in Jesus Christ. 

Holding too tightly to the wrong thing

When I begin to feel that all-too-familiar feeling of dissatisfaction, I know I’m holding too tightly to something of this world. 

That’s my cue to loosen my grip on the food and drink of this life and let the Lord fill my life with His thirst-quenching water and bread.

Because whether you have plenty or little in this world, in Jesus Christ, you can have a life of abundance. 

Whether you have plenty or little in this world, in Jesus Christ, you can have a life of abundance. Share on X

“I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again.” John 6:35

Reflections: In what areas of your life are you feeling unfulfilled? Are you holding too tightly to a certain promise of this world instead of the life-giving promise found in Jesus Christ? 

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: #3765–3785, read my entire list by clicking here.