Many people spend a lot of time in survival mode. The problem is that when we are in survival mode we are repeatedly looking for the next phase, the next season, or the next big thing.
I’m very experienced on many different levels of survival mode. “If I can just get through the winter.” If I can just make my bills this month.” “If I can…”
Whatever our struggle or stress-induced situation, we pick a point just past it and say, If I could just get there. Current,y for me, it’s: if I can just get past this knee replacement things will be better. But I know when that happens I will pick a new preconceived magical spot and aim again.
It’s a constant game of Survival Mode.
But, God doesn’t intend for us to just survive through life. He’s given us tools and the ability we need to through the indwelling of His Spirit and lots of promises, so we can thrive not just survive. 2 Peter 1:3 says. “Seeing that His divine power had granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and virtue.”
In Jesus, we have whatever we need to not just get through, but to appreciate, enjoy, and partake in God’s kingdom each and every day -not matter what season of life we are in. The problem is that we are nearsighted, and continually setting our eyes on a specific marker instead of setting our eyes on a specific Savior. We are looking for some new season to bring satisfaction instead of seeking satisfaction in God, believing it’s the next thing we need instead of a God we most need.
There is a way out of all the phases, seasons, and struggles. And it has nothing to do with dates on a calendar or getting to the end of a struggle. But it has everything to do with a Christ-centered perspective.
Maybe we need to start asking ourselves. Where is my hope in am accomplishments or in God who hasn’t left me and won’t forsake me?
Romans 15:13 says, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
While accomplishments are great, and we should definitely celebrate them. But, if it’s simply the next accomplishment. I’m focused we are focused on, we are going to come up empty and unsatisfied every time.
Besides, accomplishments don’t get us out of survival mode, they just lead us straight into the next one. When our hope is in God, things shift. A new focus takes over, making room in our hearts for joy and peace. Which happens to be the two attributes we crave most when life feels like we are swimming upstream.
Hope in God feels like He is not done writing our story. It looks like trusting that God is not done with us. And we feel like God has already moved on from us, He still has a plan for our life that’s must right for us.
We need to ask ourselves if we are worrying or worshipping?
This one gets me every time. When I’m worried, having an attitude of worship is the farthest thing from my mind. Worshiping makes an incredible difference. Philippians 4;6 tells us “In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
We need to ask ourselves. Why am I so discontent with today?
If I’m only surviving then chances are that I’m discontent about something. There’s a reason I’m not happy about today. Do I wish I wasn’t so busy or too busy? Am I worn out and longing for a break? Or am I simply not seeing God’s blessings? What is it that’s causing me to wish for tomorrow or another season?
For me whatever it is I personally have turned it into an idol, whether it’s, sleep, sanity, slowness, or success. I’m surviving until I get it, then I’ve put it on a pedestal and decided that’s what I need the most. When it’s God I need the most.
We need to ask ourselves, Where is my mind?
Honestly, I wonder sometimes where my brain went, but it’s not a question of location, it’s a question of aim. Colossians 3:2 says “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.”
This is a perspective question. Am I focused on God’s glory or my own? God’s will or my own? Remember that when we set our minds on the eternal instead of temporary earthly things it leads to a good day. When we get stuck on ourselves it’s easy to get stuck in survival mode.
The bottom line is we don’t have to live in survival mode is we can live each and every day focused on God and the things above.
From Pity to Praise 