Experiencing God’s abundant life

How do we rest in God’s goodness? How do we experience the abundant life he has for us?

Here are 3 daily habits that I have found helpful in this journey called life:

1. Stay connected to Jesus every day.

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me” (John 15:5 CEV).

If we try to go through life on our own power, we are going to be overwhelmed. A toaster cannot fulfil its purpose unless it’s plugged in to the power. We cannot fulfil our purpose and enjoy God’s goodness unless we plugged in to His power. We can ask for this daily in prayer.

2. Replace our complaining with gratefulness.

“Do everything without complaining and arguing” (Philippians 2:14 NLT).

Science has proven that complaining and practicing gratitude both have an impact on our health. Complaining is a deeply unhealthy emotion. On the other hand, studies have shown that gratitude is the healthiest emotion. It produces serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin in our brain—those are the chemicals that boost happiness and lower stress. God knows what the best attitude for healthy living is - it has the added bonus of helping us live in community successfully! He encourages us in His word to daily live this out daily.

3. Stop comparing, and start being content.

“It is better to be content with what little you have. Otherwise, you will always be struggling for more, and that is like chasing the wind” (Ecclesiastes 4:6 NCV).

Contentment is not abandoning our ambition. We ought to have ambition. We ought to make the most of what God has given us. Contentment doesn’t mean we don’t have any goals, dreams, or plans for our life. Contentment simply means we don’t need more in order to be happy. Contentment means our happiness doesn’t depend upon circumstances; it depends upon God, the Good Shepherd who has blessed us with every good gift.

By nature, we are discontent. But by God’s grace, we can rest content in his goodness to us. When we grasp that most things in our life are simply gracious gifts from God, we can experience the abundant life he has for us all.

Gary Harris

Principal

Emmanuel Messenger

Issue 2 · 15 May 2019

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