Flourishing or Floundering?

“Flourishing” is apparently becoming a buzz word and a very important concept today in psychological circles.

“The psychology community calls this lofty combination of physical, mental and emotional fitness ‘flourishing.’ It is the exact opposite of languishing, that sense of stagnation,” Adam Grant wrote in The New York Times.

“Flourishing really is what people are ultimately after,” said Tyler J. VanderWeele, an epidemiology and biostatistics professor and director of Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program. “It’s living the good life. We usually think about flourishing as living in a state in which all aspects of a person’s life are good — it’s really an all-encompassing notion.”

Out of curiosity I typed “flourishing” in the book section of Amazon and found hundreds of books on the subject that speak to one’s physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual well being. One peaked my interest that I may have to purchase–”Flourishing On The Edge of Faith.”

“Flourishing” evokes thoughts of being successful. Prosperous. Thriving. Blooming. And growing. If we are consistently sowing seeds for spiritual growth, we ought to be continually flourishing.

“Flourishing” is also a Bible word used several times in the Old Testament. In Psalm 92:12 an unknown Psalmist penned, “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree.”

The Hebrew word means “to bud… break forth…to blossom abundantly….to spread…to grow.” Wiersbe suggests that flourishing means to be “in a vigorous state” and “to thrive.”

The palm tree can grow to great heights and possesses the ability to bend, but not break. To withstand fierce storms. And to snap back from adverse conditions. Sounds, like good qualities for Christians living in a world fraught with sickness, suffering, sin, as well as enduring assaults on our faith.

Furthermore, the palm tree can flourish in desert conditions. It can find moisture below the surface of the burning sand as its roots grow deep to find nourishment. Likewise, as Christians when we are rooted, grounded and established in the faith (Col. 2:7), we will spiritually abound and flourish.

Many Christians fail to flourish and grow spiritually because they are not digging deeper into the Word and developing a closer, intimate relationship with the Lord. Superficial and surface Christianity will not produce flourishing disciples.

The wise man also contrasts the state of the wicked and the righteous in this regard.

He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like foliage.
(Prov. 11:28)

The house of the wicked will be overthrown,
But the tent of the upright will flourish.
(Prov 14:11)

These passages remind us not to view “flourishing” from a superficial, materialistic perspective based on wealth, pleasure, possessions, or an opulent lifestyle. Flourishing spiritually goes deeper. And transcends this life. It involves our relationship with the Lord. Feeding the spirit. And meeting the needs of the soul. It has an eternal viewpoint.

It’s also worth noting that a group of palm trees form an oasis. Together they provide shade from the scorching sun. In a similar way, when we flourish together, we help each other. The fellowship of the faithful becomes a refreshing oasis in a desert of sorrow and sin. We help each other flourish.

Maybe it’s just my age, but I also love this “flourishing” passage.

Those who are planted in the house of the Lord
Shall flourish in the courts of our God.
They shall still bear fruit in old age;
They shall be fresh and flourishing
(Ps 92:13-14),

Senior saints can still flourish. We can continue to bear fruit. We can still be productive. While age may take its toll on the body, and we may not be as energetic as in our younger years, our roots, firmly fixed in the faith, will not only sustain us, but allow us to prosper spiritually.

As we grow older, our role and position in the Kingdom may change, but our responsibility to be faithful remains the same. Stay connected to Christ. Be prayerful. Remain “in the house of the Lord.” Feed the soul through the Word. Find meaningful fellowship with other Christians. Find ways to flourish.

What about you, dear friend? Are you sowing seeds for spiritual growth? Are you flourishing or floundering?

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman