Life More Abundantly?

10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10, NKJV)

This message has been preached often and yet I put a question mark behind the title because so very often we do not feel at all like we are living “life more abundantly” or having “everything in abundance….until we overflow.” And certainly, many do not live with an exclamation mark but more with a question mark.

This leads me to ask: What prevents us from living life more abundantly? What is stopping up the flow of life that keeps us from flowing over? How do we go from where we are to ALL that God says in His Word, through His Son, that we are supposed to be living in?

You will notice in the verse that this first thing mentioned is the thief and what he attempts to accomplish in our lives before we walk in abundant life.

The thief can be:

> Memories that constantly keep coming up. These are known as “flashbacks” or tormenting thoughts.

> Depression, grief, sadness, loneliness, anger, rage and other negative emotions.

> Coping with emotional pain through alcohol, substance abuse, dysfunctional relationships, pornography, food addictions, cutting or self-harm, and compulsive behaviors such as gambling or shopping.

> Obsessive, compulsive behavior, eating disorders and any other disorders related to a need to control our environment externally in order to deal with the emotional pain.

> Co-dependency on others.

> Extreme measures to control others around you.

> Just to name a few. There are many other things trying to rob you.

How does this relate to Healing?

Based on verse 10 of John 10, It is God’s will for you to live a life FREE of the things the “thief” is trying to do in your life.

You may have been dealing with one or more of these thieves for many, many years! So, what makes this moment different? The difference is the knowledge that you can make a choice, right now, to release the effects of the emotional event that first happened to you and begin living life more abundantly.

I understand that this is very simple, but it is possible! There is a story of a woman that had an issue of blood for 12 years! She said within herself, “if I can but touch the hem of His garment, I know I will be made whole.” She simply believed and she was set FREE! Instantly! 12 years is a very long time!

There was a man by a pool for 34 years! Jesus came along and he was healed instantly!!!

How long has the thief been robbing you? Aren’t you tired of the same feelings, the same cycles and the same outcome year after year? Aren’t you ready to cross over into “life more abundantly?”

What you went through was real and I am not denying that. I have gone through it! However, one day, my Counselor looked at me and she said, “You can be a Victim or a Victor, but you cannot be both!” In that moment a light came on in my Spirit! I released the major part of what I was constantly dealing with in that moment. The “flashbacks” stopped, and the coping mechanisms began to dissipate very quickly. Soon, I was able to LIVE AGAIN!!!!

I went from being in a fetal position after a counseling appointment to not needing counseling because I was FREE! I had a few things to work through, but the “symptoms” of the emotional event were gone forever!!!! I give GOD ALL THE GLORY!!!!!

Here are some keys to becoming FREE:

1) Have a Willingness to Change. As you seek God, He will lead you to what you need to change step by step.

2) Come out of Denial. Being willing to admit the reality and look at it honestly is part of the journey to healing. The blame game will only keep you in the same cycle.

3) Look at the History. This will hurt but it will also heal. Yes, it did happen! Now, how did this emotional event effect my life? What part has this played in choices I have made since it happened? How is it affecting me now?

4) Catch the Thief. Identify the “thief” from the list above or something that is not listed. It’s important to identify what specifically is the attitude and/or behavior that is literally stealing, killing or destroying your life.

5) Declare Your Victory! Out of your own mouth, speak out that you will absolutely be FREE from what the thief has been doing in your life! Declare that you will no longer be bound by the past and you will begin today walking toward the “life more abundantly” because Jesus paid the price for it on the cross.

6) Progress in Your Process. The first steps are 1 – 5 above. Now that you are beginning to walk in Freedom, it’s time to daily assess what actions you can take to be more and more free every day until you are 100% FREE in your mind, will and emotions. This is a journey! Throughout our lives, God is always challenging us to change in some way. This is how we grow. Very much like growing from an infant to an adult, spiritual and emotional growth takes time and experience. Be patient with yourself. You are on a new path and at times you need directions. Daily you will make simple changes that will cause you to make progress and soon your life will be overflowing with joy and peace!

7) Abundant Life. How do we continue to live “life more abundantly?”

> Daily time in the Word of God

· Psalms for comfort

· Proverbs for wisdom

· John is the book to read to learn about your Savior and His character

· Another method is to look up a word in a Concordance like peace. In a Bible App you can look up the same word and the Scriptures related to this word will be listed for you to study.

> Praise & Worship – Praise is joyful and exciting. Worship is reverent and a slower tempo.

> Prayer – simply talking to God, sharing your heart with Him.

> Fellowship with other Bible believing Christians

> Continual Repentance for things we do that may not be in God’s will or not in line with His Word.

Every person, at one time or another has experienced some form of pain and has been robbed by the thief referred to in John 10:10. The Good News is that Jesus said He came on our behalf so that we do not have to stay in that condition. In fact, He promises “life more abundantly.”

For other encouraging articles, please go to thehealinghub

If you feel like you are not living life more abundantly and you are willing to start the steps toward Healing, you can schedule an appointmentto begin.