4:222 – “Just” Surviving Is Ok!

#faithbites #faithjourney surviving

Setting

A friend of mine posted this picture today and it spoke to me louder than my kids fighting. Our world pushes us to do more and more to try to accomplish things. Heck, I have a hundred to-do lists and things never seem to go off of it. Strike one-off and three more join it. It’s exhausting. Early in the pandemic, I saw a meme that said while some people are learning a new hobby or doing so many new things, I am just surviving and that’s ok. We need to be comfortable that we don’t have to tackle the world every day. Sometimes we are out of spoons and other times, we just need to be still.

God loves us no matter what. If we don’t take on the world today, that’s ok. If we just breathe and love, we are winners in his book. It is ok to just survive.

Today’s Questions: What are you doing to survive? Are you ok with just being still and not pushing yourself to do things that you don’t have the energy to do?

Scripture

• John 16:33 -“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
• Matthew 24:13 – But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Reflection

Two quick points on our reflection today. First, we don’t have to conquer the world. It’s not in our hands. Jesus has come to conquer the world. We benefit from his triumphs. We get to live in his love, glory, and grace. Because of Jesus, we don’t have to stress or fight for the gifts he has given us. Second, we are told to endure. All we have to do is have faith in him and endure. Surviving this life is the first part of God’s plan. We survived, we love, and we share Jesus. That’s it! Having goals are great, we just don’t need to kill ourselves to accomplish goals that aren’t necessary. As the Reel Big Fish sing, in Slow Down, we just need to slow down and take it easy.

As we close, remember “just” surviving is more than enough. Take the time to love, heal, and be in Christ.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for your son and salvation. Thank you for telling us that we don’t need to conquer the world or do a thousand things at once. Help us to slow down, take it easy, and be still. Surviving isn’t the least we can do, it’s the most we can do as we endure the trials of the world. Lord, we love you and thank you for this. Please help us be strong, faithful, and endure. In your name, we pray, Amen.