What Brings You to Life?
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:10
I remember a priest friend once helped me through a decision, and what stayed with me were his questions: “What brings you joy? What brings you life?” It seemed simple enough, but it resonated with me. How is this situation bringing me to life? And on the other hand, how is it giving me the opposite? What is keeping me in a state of being unfulfilled, barely surviving, and stagnant in growth?
At the time, I didn’t know the answer. Looking back, I realize that understanding what brings me to life requires greater self-knowledge and self-awareness. It takes knowing who we truly are in relationship with God, how God designed us to be, and being attuned to what we need in order to thrive and bear fruit for ourselves and for others. Here are some important areas that are life-giving:
Prayer & Silence
Life can be overwhelming and noisy, making it hard to hear God's voice. Where is that time and place that helps you recollect and be still?
Life comes only from God, who made it. There is nowhere else we can find life except through Him. Jesus says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6). Perhaps we need deep interior healing or to go to confession to remove blocks in our relationship with God. Whatever the need may be, we must ask in prayer for God to continually renew and restore our life so that we may become like Him, who is the abundance of life.
“When you love someone, you create a way to be with them”.
Habits for Holiness by Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR
Connection
Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you and guide you toward Jesus. These are the people who challenge you to grow, who see you for who you are, and with whom you can be completely yourself. Their presence should feel uplifting and supportive. Be around people who will help you become holy and healthy.
Health & Wellness
Caring for our personal well-being is crucial. Eating nutritious foods and staying active with activities you enjoy can significantly impact your energy levels. During challenging or busy seasons, it's easy for good habits to slip. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, find ways to keep yourself accountable and engage with others. Additionally, make time for rest and play. Taking time to rest and recharge is essential to ensure you are not operating from a place of depletion where you cannot be fully yourself.
Strengths
Identify what you are good at and what energizes you, and also acknowledge what you struggle with. Understanding how God designed you allows you to navigate challenging areas in a more life-giving way. Each of us is uniquely made, so there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. When we operate in God’s design for us, we will naturally bring a supernatural energy into what we do.
Self-Talk
There was an experiment conducted with two plants and students—one spoken to negatively and the other positively. The outcomes differed significantly based on the words they received. You can watch it on YouTube: Bully A Plant.
Words and thoughts have immense power—they can bring life or death. Matthew Kelly said, “The actions of your life are determined by your most dominant thought.” It takes practice to cultivate life-giving thoughts and speech when our identity is rooted in God. He made no mistake in making you, and you are designed just as He intended. If it is difficult to affirm yourself, find a scripture verse that affirms your identity as God’s child and declare it over yourself daily.
Gratitude
Gratitude might seem simple, but it requires a mindset shift. Our brains often prioritize negative experiences over positive ones, perhaps because negativity tends to be more pronounced.
Even when you don’t feel it, try to find the blessing. God always brings good out of what seems bad. We all have difficult days, and that’s okay. Give yourself space when you lack the capacity to show up fully. When our personal needs are met, it positively impacts our outlook.
Growth & Continuous Learning
Doing things that give you life and energy naturally leads to growth. You will find more joy and a sense of forward movement. Remember, responsibilities unique to your life phase, such as new parenthood, work and study commitments, illness, or caring for parents, can be particularly draining. It’s important to distinguish between temporary exhaustion and ongoing issues that need addressing. Be aware of your needs, ask for help when necessary, and adapt your approach to each situation.
We must continually learn and shape ourselves to live fully. God wants you to be alive, free, and happy, and He has given us everything we need to attain it. By embracing growth, seeking connection, prioritizing health and wellness, finding silence and rest, leveraging our strengths, practicing positive self-talk, and maintaining gratitude, we can discover and live out the abundant life God intends for us.
questions to ponder
How are you spending your time?
What makes you feel exhausted?
What activities give you energy and keep you going?
a simple strategy
Identify what helps you come to life.
