Living in abundance is a decision, just as living in defeat is. Let’s talk about choosing abundance over defeat.

While doing my morning devotions, I recently came across the following quote by June Hunt, founder of Hope for the Heart:

“Your God is a God of grace who not only saves you from eternal death, but also saved you from a defeated life.”

Wow.

Sadly, Christians often accept the atoning sacrifice of Jesus and claim his saving grace, but fail to walk in a daily state of victory. Jesus isn’t just our ticket to Heaven, He’s the key to abundant life NOW, regardless of what is going on.

For a long time, I lived as a saved person who failed to embrace the earthly abundance Jesus had promised me. After all, I was busy and had a lot of on my mind.

In my self-absorbed state of busyness and overwhelm, I’d surrendered the promise of abundance and exchanged it for one of self-pity. Sometimes I threw in bitterness too. Complaining and murmuring had taken their place in my mouth instead of praise.

I knew I needed to stop living as if I was defeated and start choosing to accept the abundance of Jesus. God showed me how. As I have faithfully practiced these three things, my defeated existence has given way to an abundant life.

1. DAILY QUIET TIME: My personal journey into abundance began when I started consistently doing devotions. Seven years ago, when my son was an infant, I purchased a Kindle so I could read with one hand while feeding and rocking him.  Prior to this, I’d had put forth inconsistent, lukewarm efforts in this area. I soon found that spending time praying and reading God’s word was essential for my day. If I miss a day, things just don’t feel right, which can lead me down a path of defeat.

2. INTENTIONAL GRATITUDE: Give thanks all day, for everything. When I get up in the morning, I thank God for life and a new day. We pray before family meals. In conversation, we discuss how we’ve been blessed by God. If I’m stuck in traffic or annoyed at work, I thank God for a short commute and a good job. At night, I pray over my children, thanking God for them. Once I learned to give thanks instead of complaining, abundant joy flowed freely. Trust me, I am a recovering complainer.

3. HAVING AND DOING LESS: Like everything in God’s economy, this doesn’t make sense by the world’s standards. Doing less and having less actually produce abundance in my heart. Cleaning out a closet and donating things I don’t use brings me joy. Re-purposing what I have without buying something new makes me smile. Saying no to an over-scheduled life and yes to margin brings a feeling of fullness and contentment.

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 10:9-10

Don’t get me wrong. I still have times of unrest. Once in a while I throw a pity-party in my own heart. Disappointment and discouragement visit me, but I have found it much easier to shorten their stay when I stick to the three steps above. The times I lapse into a defeated life are the times I haven’t given these positive practices enough effort.

If you are feeling defeated, I encourage you to try incorporating quiet time, gratitude, and letting go of things into your routine. Once I finally embraced them, I was able to experience abundance, even in difficult times.

God forgive me for being content to squeak into eternity while living a defeated, pitiful life here in this world. I want abundance. I choose joy. Remind me daily of Your goodness and hold me close so I can behold Your glory. AMEN.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: No More Please! The Dangerous Dance with Excess and 5 Ways to Rejoice in Today

Tracy

Hi! I’m Tracy. I love Jesus, my family, Earl Grey Tea, and quiet mornings. Here at Earl Grey and Yellow, the focus is striving to be faithful and appreciate the small things. So glad you stopped by. Please have a look around and subscribe to our newsletter and social media to stay connected.