Thriving in Faith Journey How Prayer Moves Us From Surviving to Living Fully
Can I ask you something? Have you ever wondered why some days feel like you’re barely hanging on, even when you have faith? I remember so many nights feeling like I was swimming just to keep my head above water. This idea of thriving in faith journey kept coming up for me, especially in my conversations recently, and I think it’s time we talk about how we move from just surviving to actually thriving in our faith journey.
Let me tell you about a conversation I had on our podcast, Perspectives Into Practice. We talked about heartbreak, surrender, and what it looks like to pivot from pleading with God to trusting him day by day; spiritual encouragement through handwritten notes can be a tangible reminder of hope. The more I listened, the more I realized we are all wired for hope; Trusting God Through Waiting helps us endure when healing takes longer than expected. But getting from desperate prayers in a messy closet to waking up with peace in our chests - that’s where the shift happens.
Why Surviving Feels Like Enough (But Isn’t the Whole Story)
I remember those seasons where I thought just making it through the night was all I could ask for. And if that’s you right now, friend, I see you. Sometimes, thriving in faith journey feels impossible when basic survival is all we know. We pray the pain away, ask God to fix what’s broken, and count it as a miracle if we make it out of bed at all; gratitude practices for healing can renew hope.
But here’s what I’ve learned. God isn’t just present in our survival mode. He’s actively inviting us to something more, even if it starts as a whisper. Our faith isn’t meant for white-knuckling life or just holding on. It’s for experiencing peace even before the storm passes.
Finding God in hard times reminds us, “The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit.” That doesn’t say he waits until we’re all put together. He’s close, right in the thick of it, helping us take the next step toward thriving in faith journey—not just making it through.
How Surrender Grows Roots and What Keeps Us Stuck
Let’s get real. Surrender is not a one-time event. I’ve tried to will my way through problems, probably more often than I want to admit. It always starts with wanting control. If I can just do more, pray harder, fix everything and everyone, then I’ll believe I can thrive.
Does that sound familiar? Me too. But let me tell you, thriving in faith journey doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from letting go, sometimes even of the good things. There’s a difference between surrender that’s lip service and actual release. We say we’ve given it to God, but if our hands are still clenched tight, joy can’t flow in.
I’ve had to sit in the quiet with an open Bible, sometimes reading the same Scripture over and over, sometimes just whispering the name of Jesus. Those moments—where all I can do is show up—are where my roots started to grow deep instead of just wide.
What Kept Me from Thriving
- Thinking I had to have it all together
- Treating prayer as my last resort, not my first
- Waiting until I felt 'ready' or 'enough'
- Trying to control circumstances instead of seeking God’s presence
Little by little, learning to surrender wasn’t about earning anything. It was letting God hold what I could never manage on my own.
Shifting Your Faith From Crying Out to Trusting Daily
The real shift in my thriving in faith journey happened in small, ordinary moments. Most of us want a big breakthrough. But I found it wasn’t a lightning bolt. It started in honest conversations with God, often behind closed doors, sometimes in the car, asking for peace instead of just solutions.
I had to practice quieting the urge to “fix” and start asking God, What do you want for me today? The more I did this, the more I realized that thriving isn’t about my circumstances changing overnight. It’s about my heart opening to what God is already doing, right where I am.
Simple Ways to Start Thriving in Faith Journey
- Start your day with a prayer for God’s will, not just your own
- Literally close the door—find a closet, a porch, a quiet spot just for you and God
- Pray the simplest prayers—sometimes just repeating 'Jesus' is enough
- Read one verse, let it sit with you, and ask God to speak
- Thank God for just one thing each night, even if it’s small
These don’t have to be formal or fancy. God meets us where we are, not where we think we’re supposed to be.
Why Trying Harder Is Not the Same as Thriving in Your Faith
Here’s the thing. Most of us are good at surviving. We push through, we hustle, we rationalize, and we hope we’re getting somewhere. But there’s less peace and more exhaustion every time we try to muscle our way to thriving in faith journey.
I remember thinking I was strong for everyone else, carrying the emotional load so no one would know I was unraveling inside. But the truth is, God didn’t call me (or you) to hide our weakness. He called us to come—mess and all—because that’s where His presence fills in the gaps.
Ask Yourself
- Am I so focused on solving that I forget to just be with God?
- Have I created space to hear God’s voice, not just speak my mind?
- Do I believe I have to be perfect before I can thrive spiritually?
Maybe what you need today is not one more plan, but a pause to surrender and let God do what only he can. That’s faith. That’s how we cross from surviving to thriving in faith journey.
Moving Forward Together in Community and Prayer
One thing I love about our community is that we don’t believe in doing faith alone. In our recent podcast episode, Andy shared how God met her in hard places—closet, car, porch—and how those places became altars for surrender. We need spaces like that in our community, too. Not so we can hide, but so we can come together and remind each other it’s safe to let go.
Here’s my encouragement for you. Don’t underestimate the power of even your weakest prayer. Jesus hears the single word whispered through tears, the five minutes of quiet, the simple act of saying yes to His presence in your day. This is what thriving in faith journey looks like. Not perfect, but present. Not pain-free, but peaceful. Not always victorious, but never alone.
If you feel stuck, reach out. Leave a comment, send a message, or listen to our latest podcast episode for more hope. Let’s walk this road of surrender and thriving in faith journey together—one honest conversation, one quiet prayer, one day at a time.
Ready for more? Listen to the full episode for practical encouragement and real stories on moving from surviving to thriving in faith journey. Together, we’re putting perspectives into practice—right where we are.
