Are you living the abundant life Jesus died to give you?
Jesus said in John 10:10 NKJV, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” But if you’re living paycheck to paycheck, then you aren’t in abundance.
I’m talking about all aspects of abundance—complete health and wholeness, forgiveness of sins, salvation, and your physical needs met.
My focus this year has been to live and enjoy that abundant life.
Belief—the Starting Point
My starting point was determining what I believed, which is where all change starts. Our beliefs drive our behavior. That’s why it’s so important to identify false beliefs and replace them with truth.
Mark 11:24 NKJV states: “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (emphasis added).
Jesus said we must believe and receive the moment we ask.
So, one of the first questions I asked myself was, “Do I believe I can live the abundant life?” My answer was no, and I’ve had to do a lot of soul searching to determine why I believe that. Because until I believe I can receive abundant life, I will block it from entering. And so will you.
False Beliefs
For a great many people, believing they aren’t worthy of something stops them from receiving it. And I’m right there with them! (You can read more of that story here.)
Things we experience in our childhood or even things we hear like “you can’t have everything you want,” “don’t be selfish,” “don’t take more than you need” also impact what we come to believe.
“Don’t be selfish” was a big one in my life, probably is for most people. “Learn to share” was the response I got when some kid was bawling because they wanted what I had.
Now don’t get me wrong, we need to learn how to share; however, how does that make me selfish when I won’t give in to someone’s demands?
When I was little and some kid aimed “you’re so selfish” at me, it was that little kid who was being selfish because he demanded—not politely asked—that I give him what he wanted. It often meant I had to give up what I had so the other kid could have it.
As a child, I came to believe that my wants weren’t important, but everyone else’s were.
So how does this fit into believing we can live an abundant life? Because many people believe it’s selfish to want the abundant life. That it’s wrong to want something beyond our needs.
There might be many layers of false beliefs that prohibit us from acquiring the abundant life.
“There is a difference between WISHING for a thing and being READY to receive it. No one is ready for a thing, until he believes he can acquire it.” —Napoleon Hill
How do we change our beliefs?
To change wrong beliefs we must tell ourselves the opposite: I am worthy. Wanting something doesn’t make me selfish. Or whatever your false belief might be. Yes, I feel a little odd telling myself those things. But they are the truth.
How do I know that?
Because Christ believed in my worth so much He died a painful death to redeem me. That proves I am worthy to Him. He said He came to give abundant life; therefore it’s not being selfish to live it.
What are you asking for? Do you truly believe you can have it?
Spend some time asking yourself what you believe and ferret out the false beliefs that are holding you back. Then start telling yourself the truth every day as many times as necessary until you renew your mind to the truth.