THRIVE VS SURVIVE

Nathan Kliewer, Executive Pastor of Ministries

As we step into this summer season together, I want to encourage you with one simple word: thrive.

Maybe for some of us, that word feels easy to receive. Maybe life feels steady, there is margin, there is joy, and we feel like we are walking in a good rhythm. But if I’m honest, there are also seasons where the word “thrive” feels a little harder to embrace. There are times where I feel like I’m not necessarily thriving — I’m just trying to survive.

Maybe you know that feeling. Maybe you have had moments where you are simply trying to keep showing up, keep moving forward, keep carrying what God has placed in front of you. And the reality is, every one of us will walk through seasons like that.

But I want to remind you of something today: God did not create us to simply survive life — He created us to thrive in Christ. As a church, we are entering a different season. Summer brings change. Schedules shift. Rhythms change. People travel. Ministry looks different. There can be a temptation in seasons like this to simply go into maintenance mode — to just get through it until things feel normal again.

But a different season does not mean God is taking a break. God is still moving. God is still working. God is still building His church. And in every season we have a choice: will we simply survive what is happening around us, or will we learn how to thrive in the middle of it?

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 2:14, "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him." Notice what Paul says: God always leads us in triumph through Christ. That does not mean life will always be easy. It does not mean we will never face challenges, disappointments, exhaustion, or difficult moments.

Jesus Himself said in John 16:33, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Jesus never promised us a life without problems. But He did promise us His presence, His power, and His victory in the middle of them.

A thriving kingdom mindset does not say, “I will only be okay when everything around me is okay.” A thriving kingdom mindset says, “Because Christ is with me, I can face whatever comes my way.” Being more than a conqueror means our confidence is not found in having a problem-free life. Our confidence comes from knowing the One who has already overcome.

So as we enter this season, both personally and as a church family, how do we thrive instead of simply survive? Here are four ways:

1. Presence — Be in His Presence and Carry His Presence

As followers of Jesus, we are not walking through life alone. Through the Holy Spirit, the presence of God lives within us. That means wherever we go this summer, whatever conversations we have, whatever challenges we face — we carry the presence of Jesus with us.

There are moments where I have to remind myself that I don’t need to carry everything on my own. I don’t need to have every answer. I don’t need to operate only out of my own strength. I need His presence. A thriving life begins with abiding in Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you that you are a presence carrier. Before you rush into your day, before you move into the busyness of this season, take time to be with Him.

2. Power — Receive His Strength

Paul prays in Ephesians 1:19 that we would understand, "The incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him." And then he reminds us that this is the same power that raised Christ from the dead.

The same resurrection power that brought Jesus out of the grave is available to us through the Holy Spirit. There are moments where my own strength runs out. There are moments where I realize I need more patience, more wisdom, more courage, and more endurance than I naturally have. And that is exactly where God meets us. We thrive when we stop relying only on our own ability and begin depending on His power. Ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen you for whatever this season requires.

3. Peace — Keep Your Eyes Fixed on Jesus

Isaiah 26:3 says, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You." Peace is not found in having everything under control. Peace is found in knowing the One who is in control.

There are seasons where my mind can run ahead. There are moments where I can focus more on what needs to happen, what needs to be solved, or what I cannot control. But thriving requires me to bring my focus back to Jesus. When we keep our eyes fixed on Him, we find a peace that circumstances cannot take away.

4. Protection — Trust the Covering of God

Psalm 91 reminds us that, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."

God is our refuge. He is our protector. He watches over us and walks with us through every season. That does not mean we ignore challenges or pretend difficulties do not exist. It means we trust that we are held by a God who is faithful. We can walk forward with confidence because our lives are in His hands.

So today, remember this: You were not created just to survive. You were created to thrive. Not because every circumstance will be easy, but because Christ is with you.

As we enter this season together as a church, I want to encourage you to ask yourself:

• Where have I been living in survival mode instead of trusting God to help me thrive?

• What is one area of my life where I need to invite the presence, power, peace, and protection of Jesus in a deeper way?

• Am I simply trying to get through this season, or am I looking for where God is moving and joining Him there?

May we not just make it through this season. May we experience God in deeper ways. May we thrive in His presence, walk in His power, live in His peace, and rest under His protection. Because God is still working. God is still moving. And God is still leading us forward.