We are the product of our decisions. The path we choose determines whether we would flourish or fail. While failure is a chance to learn but it is important to make informed choices in life so that we do not put ourselves through a lot of misery. The holy scripture is full of words of hope, wisdom, and empowerment. Jeremiah 17 provides an example of plant that nurtures when it is watered and taken care.
“For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river… Jeremiah (17:8)”
The desire to flourish is part of the human experience we are here to have. Through time, people belonging to different cultures, ethnicities and geographic locations have sought stability, security, and a hassle-free life. It is not you alone who craves and seeks methods to enrich life. Every person desires to flourish and succeed in individual and collective spheres of life.
The concept of flourishing has two aspect. While some people understand flourishing relationally, that is, the good that flows for self is the shared blessings with relations. The goodness is not considered separate from the web of relations God has gifted. However, more modern concept of flourishing pertains to self. The modern perception of flourishing relates to fulfillment of one’s own ambitions and wishes.
The truth is that both are important. The concern for people and humility brings internal peace that enriches life while pursuit of aims, and ambitions adds more value and quality to life. But this is what we are saying? What is the word of Bible for flourishing? And how it relates to the modern human perception of flourishing for person to person? The word of God is full of the message of peace and abundance. In fact, the key theme in Bible seems to focus on the topic of flourishing.
As Psalm says:
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. (Nurture)
I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. (Trust)
I will thank you forever, because, you have done it. (Gratitude)
I will wait for your name, for it is good. (Patience)
In the presence of the godly. (52: 8-9)
Below are seven ways as per the bible, to truly flourish in life:
1. Have Trust
From Psalm 52:8 Trust is the main theme of flourishing in one’s life. Often, we feel deprived of resources to manage the challenges of the day. What we fail to consider is that perhaps everything can not be in our own control. All we have in our hands is to give our best and let the might Lord help us. It is not just during the adversity that the Lord should be trusted, but through all seasons of life, the trust in love of God is sufficient to fill our hearts with calm and peace. It is important to remain in the state of abundant mentality to let to abundance flow and such abundant mentality come from deriving the power and love from the God.
Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to prosper (succeed) in his hand. (Gen 39:3)
2. Have Gratitude
It is said that gratitude makes what you already have into enough. Seeking contentment in today’s fast-paced life is a challenge. The influx of information through multiple digital channels makes our desires go haywire. How many times have you seen the Instagram stories of your friends and wanted a perfect relationship, a perfect body, and a perfect home? Well, how many times have you focused on your present and seen that may be, you are already having a lot without even asking for it? The key to feeling secure in one’s own skin begins with gratitude.
As Psalm 52:8 says, I thank for what he has done.
3. Have Patience
There is a grace in patience. The spontaneity of todays life perhaps has eroded the importance and virtuousness of patience. It is important that one flourishes when there is a keen sense that everything falls into its place at the right time. That every season of life is there for a purpose. Similarly, patience is important for controlling desires from allowing you to run astray after them. In both cases, patience brings calm, and patience is the key to flourish.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12).
4. Have Compassion
It is not through just own self that the person flourishes but through compassion as well. We seek forgiveness from the Lord, and we want his mercy, and compassion. Same attributes should be shown by us for we all make mistakes. When we have a forgiving attitude and compassionate heart, we free ourselves from unnecessary burdens. The goodness expands from our being towards other is returned manifolds. Therefore, we prosper, and we flourish.
He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water (Isaiah 49:10).
5. Be Grounded
As we have to face the consequences of our decisions, it is important to be grounded and uprooted in order to avoid making recurrent mistakes that distort the quality of our lives. We flourish when we are grounded.
They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God (Psalm 92:13).
6. Be Upright
A negative heart constricts its own potential for abundance and joy. It is important to be upright in order to prosper and flourish. Honest conduct, rectitude and justice emanates collective goodness and harmony. Vices only lead to disharmony on collective and individual spheres of life.
The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish (Proverbs 14:11).
7. Pray!!
Last but not the least, prayers entail flourishing the faith and the life. Prayer trumps and helps your anxiety as well as bring hope. Through hope we move towards more prosperous days.
