Are you living or are you surviving??
Big difference.
Lately I have been overwhelmed with how many people are merely surviving. They aren't living their lives. They aren't enjoying. Just hanging on. Trying to get through the day so that they can "survive" the next.
It makes me want to scream. Not at the people. At satan. Back off!!
The thing is that if satan knows he can get to them, he'll keep attacking. As Christians we have to do our part and fight the battle. We can't sit back and passively let satan take what God has promised us. We have to fight!! It is ours.
What exactly is "IT"? It is peace. It is joy. It is love. It is faithfulnes. It is goodness. It is mercy. God has promised us all these things (and so much more)once we have received His gift. The gift of His Son. Maybe you've been a believer a long time and don't stand in awe of that gift so much any more. I know that's been the case with me. I gloss over the fact that God loved me so much that He chose for His Son to die a horrific death FOR ME!!
What are you doing with that gift?
In John 10:10 it says "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full."
Do you see that? Jesus came so that we may have life. Not just eternal life (which is amazing), but also life here. NOW. Don't let satan rob you of the gift of life.
Are you living or you just surviving?
mmmm, that's the truth sister! Surviving will keep you alive, but Living will make you WANT to be alive.
ReplyDeleteWanting to live fully, but some days, honestly, I’m just surviving. Thank you for the encouragement to live life to the hilt today and every day!
ReplyDeleteLove your words of truth, and I also love the quote from the previous commenter -- "Surviving will keep you alive, but LIVING will make you WANT to be alive." Beautiful wisdom!
ReplyDeleteMost days, I am living. Living proof that no matter the circumstances, joy, peace and love are a gift from God, a gift that lives within us, and as such, that gift shouldn't be affected by outside sources. Satan shouldn't have access to those gifts, when they're guarded deep within our hearts.
Some days, I feel as though I'm only surviving, financially or otherwise... that's when I have to stop and remember that God gives us our daily bread, just enought... not too little, not too much, enough for today. Enough love, enough hope, enough joy, enough pain, enough of everything we need to fulfill our purpose in Him. Once I remember that, Satan simply has to leave. Kicked to the curb and all ;)
Sheryl, thank you for the reminder! :) It's easy to fall into survival mode -- but definitely not a place I want to stay or allow myself to go.
ReplyDeleteLove this post cause this is something that I have been really thinking about. Christ came to give us abudent life and not to just muddy thru it. I just dont want to endur life but I want my life to be a reflection of GOD's glory and his awesomeness!!
ReplyDeleteNot gramatically correct but kinda speaks my heart today.
Love ya
Laura
You are such an awesome writer and encourager. Great post today my friend.
ReplyDeleteHmm. Lets stomp on some toes shall we? Thank you, sometimes my toes need stomping on.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, today, I am living. I lived yesterday, too. And some the day before that. They are small victories, but victories, all the same. I hope you're having a sunshine and rainbow kind of day.
Love you
Oh Sista... you are hitting the devil where he hurts... keep preaching it, I want that abundant Life... Now... for everyone I love!! and that goes for you too!!
ReplyDeleteYou are such a blessing!!
Amen. I have been in both places. Praise God, right now, I am living in His joy!
ReplyDeleteGreat words from someone that is walking it out...I love you dear friend....
ReplyDeleteWell said. We can thrive in spite of our unique maladies. All comes down to what we believe.
ReplyDeleteThose are fightin' words!!! I choose to live:)
ReplyDeleteWell, ouch.
ReplyDeleteSurvival mode.
But God has been driving home the point that I need to move on and start living.
I agree. It drives me nuts when see people not living in victory. We are more than conquerors.
ReplyDeleteVery good post! I can honestly say now I am just surviving. One day I will truly be living again. Thanks for posting. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Sheryl. I'm really trying to live and appreciate the life I've been given instead of just existing. It is a daily choice, and sadly, I still make the wrong one sometimes. Reminds me of the song though....."this is life we've been given, meant to be lived out so la la la la live out loud!"
ReplyDeleteLove ya'
Probably just surviving. I like what Lemonade-Makin' momma said "surviving will keep you alive, but living will make you WANT to be alive." Wow.
ReplyDeletei'm surviving but barely doing that today.....not sure i want to or am able to!!!!!! ugh!!!!
ReplyDeleteLaurette (or Lala)
I should have read this post before I made my post today...I am just surviving and I admit it...It sucks big time and I am praying it changes so very soon!
ReplyDeleteSo true...so true. Another reminder that each and everyone of us has a purpose in life. We've been granted this gift and it's ashame that we are not embracing it with each new day. OK, Let me logg off and embrace what God has given me for today. I soooo needed this today.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you,
Oh Lord that I may LIVE! And live the life abundant you are speaking of! It's SO worth it! Thank you for the reminder! You are a blessing.
ReplyDeleteI choose living.
ReplyDeleteAltho I have my survival moments too.
I have to remember to count my blessings
thank you so much for this
ReplyDeletepost sweet Sheryl!!!
love you
Jill
First time to visit your blog - thanks for the inspiring words and encouragement. Needed that booster shot today! How true and sadly, how true that I find myself there sometimes. Oh that we might live the fullness that Christ intended. And I will glad join the forces of telling satan to 'back off'.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you -
I agree with your message.
ReplyDeleteI'm LIVING fully. Left the enemies strong hold behind LONG long long ago.
That's why I pray so hard for people who are just surviving. I desire that they KNOW JESUS deeply because HE gives us abundant life and that's far more than just surviving. That's LIVING. Amen.
Thanks for sharing dear sister in Christ.
lovely post! So very true!
ReplyDeleteIt took me forever to read this because I'm behind on everything, including reading blogs. Because you know, I've been surviving. but just today, the sermon was on truly living. And then I read this. Sheesh, this stuff always happens with you.
ReplyDeleteI needed this. thank you!
Thanks for checking out my blog! Your words just made me day :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this post. Sometimes it way to easy to get caught up in the daily living that we forget every single day is a gift. I'll spend some time tonight praying for you and your family!
thanks Sheryl.... I just realized my new blog is on my profile...still working out the kinks in this whole 'changing blog names' thing :)
ReplyDeletethanks for visiting. I still read yours too. I love it!
Living...definitely living!
ReplyDelete