How to truly flourish

Written By Bec Abbott

3 biblical keys to a life of peace and purpose

If true flourishing comes from God – not from striving, achieving or perfect circumstances – then the question becomes:

How do we actually live this out?

How do we move from knowing about flourishing … to experiencing it?

The answer is simple – but deeply transformative:

Receive. Root. Remain.

1. Receive: Stop striving and start slowing

We have been given a gift: God’s peace.

And yet, many of us leave it unopened.

To receive this gift, we must slow down.

Jesus invites us:

“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28–30).

Notice the invitation is not to do more, but to simply to come.

Slowing down allows us to:

  • Become aware of God’s presence

  • Lay down our burdens

  • Receive His peace

This is countercultural, but essential.

A simple practice to begin

Start small.

  • Sit in stillness

  • Focus on your breath

  • Lengthen your exhale

You might use a simple breath prayer:

  • Inhale: “Jesus”

  • Exhale: “Jesus”

Or:

  • Inhale: “The Lord is my shepherd”

  • Exhale: “I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1)

Or:

  • Inhale: “Peace I leave with you”

  • Exhale: “My peace I give you” (John 14:27)

Stillness takes practice but it creates space to receive.

2. Root: Stay nourished in God’s Word

To flourish, we must be rooted.

Psalm 1 describes the flourishing person as one who delights in God’s Word and meditates on it regularly (Psalm 1:1–3).

This kind of life is like a tree planted by streams of water – nourished, stable and fruitful.

We root ourselves in God through:

  • Scripture

  • Prayer

  • Reflection

Even Jesus modelled this. In Matthew 4:4, He reminds us:

“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

And in Mark 1:35, we see Him rising early to spend time in prayer.

Staying rooted may look different in different seasons but the principle remains:

We need daily spiritual nourishment.

Practical ways to stay rooted

Deuteronomy 6:6–9 gives a beautiful picture of integrating God’s Word into everyday life:

  • Reflect on Scripture throughout the day

  • Talk about it with others

  • Keep reminders visible (eg. memory verses on prints or post-it notes)

  • Begin and end your day with God

Like the woman at the well in John 4, we must return again and again to Jesus – the source of living water.

3. Remain: Stay connected to Jesus

Flourishing requires ongoing connection.

Jesus says:

“If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (John 15:1–8).

Remaining (or abiding) is about staying close.

But drifting away happens easily. Christine Caine notes, “All we have to do to drift away from Jesus is … nothing!”

Remaining requires intentional choices.

This might include:

  • Worship (at church, at home, in your car, etc.)

  • Church community (be regular, be intentional, connect deeply)

  • Small groups (be regular, be intentional, connect deeply)

  • Prayer and Bible reading

  • Time in God’s presence (just being with the Lord)

Remaining also involves priorities.

Choosing connection with Jesus often means saying no to distractions and sometimes to other ‘good’ things.

Flourishing is about relationship, not performance

Remaining is not about duty; it’s about love.

Jesus invites us into friendship with Him.

And from that relationship flows:

  • Joy

  • Peace

  • Purpose

  • Fruitfulness

As Jesus says:

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11).

A life that truly flourishes

God wants you to flourish:

  • For your good (John 10:10)

  • For the good of others (Proverbs 11:25; 2 Corinthians 9:8–11)

  • For His glory (John 15:8)

While our flourishing won’t be complete until heaven, a flourishing life is available to us here and now, on earth.

In John 10:10, Jesus says: “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” 

The Greek word for "life" used here – zoe – means a life filled with meaning, purpose, and spiritual vitality. 

We can find true satisfaction and joy – not in the things this world holds out as important - but in the abundant life God is inviting us into.

The invitation

If you want to truly flourish:

  • Receive God’s peace

  • Root yourself in His Word

  • Remain in His presence

This is the path to a life that is:

  • Deeply anchored

  • Spiritually vibrant

  • Genuinely fulfilling

For more on flourishing, check out my blog ‘What does TRUE flourishing look like?’

Blessings in Christ,

Bec (Founder & CEO of Be Still Movement)

Bec Abbott
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What does TRUE flourishing look like?