Feeling Stuck? Here’s 3 Ways to Start Thriving Instead of Just Surviving

“Just 10 more minutes…”

Ever catch yourself just trying to make it through the day? Maybe even the week…or the whole month? The days blur together, and before you know it, you’re running on autopilot.

I saw this TobyMac clip of him saying something at a concert that hit:

“When you live life on the edge of your seat, and open your eyes with wonder, you never know what God can do with the day.” | TobyMac

That’s easier said than done, right? But it made me pause and ask:

What am I treating as a burden that could actually be an opportunity?

What would my everyday look like if I leaned in with curiosity instead of coasting through? Here are three simple shifts that can help us thrive instead of just survive:

1. See People as Opportunities, Not Burdens

Sometimes the burden is a person… the co-worker who talks your ear off, the relative who always calls at the wrong time, or the friend you feel too busy to check in on.

What if that “burden” is actually the answer to one of your problems? A smile to the cashier you see every week. A quick text to a friend who’s struggling. A word of encouragement to someone sitting alone at lunch. These moments don’t just change their day, they could change yours too.

2. See Errands as Opportunities, Not Burdens

Errands usually feel like boxes to check off. But even the most ordinary tasks can carry purpose.

Your drive to work can become prayer time. Folding laundry could be the moment you catch up with a friend on the phone. Cooking dinner might be more fun with someone at the counter chopping alongside you.

When we reframe the mundane, it becomes meaningful.

3. See Waiting as Opportunities, Not Burdens

This one might be the hardest. Waiting on a job, a relationship, or an answered prayer can feel frustrating. But waiting is often where God does His deepest work.

Think about it- college, high school, even childhood, aren’t just about the finish line. The memories, the lessons, the friendships all happen in the middle.

As Isaiah reminds us:

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.” | Isaiah 40:31

The waiting isn’t wasted time.

Thriving doesn’t mean life is suddenly easy. It means choosing to see with fresh eyes: the people in your path, the errands on your list, the seasons of waiting as places God is already at work. Just take one step, friend. He’s right there with you.

And when we do, we don’t just get through the day. We actually live it.

How to Scroll Without Letting It Steal Your Peace

About
Latest Posts

Alaina Goode

Hey, I'm Alaina!

Or some would call me Laney. I'm from small town friendly Forest City, NC. I love spending time with my family, worship, film, theater, and basically all things music.

God is writing our stories so that every life has a testimony. I want to spend my life creating platforms with others to share these stories and glorify the kingdom of God!