I write a lot about “flourishing.” I mean, Flourish is the name of this blog, after all. So, I write about flourishing in your spirit, flourishing in your soul (your mind, emotions, and creative center), and flourishing in your body…blah blah blah.
But who really even cares about flourishing?
Maybe you’d rather find out how not to flourish? If so, this post is for you!
Just follow these 7 simple steps, and instead of flourishing, you’ll wither away, shrivel, and eventually dry up!
How Not to Flourish
1. Continually look at your circumstances.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV) says, “For we live by faith, not by sight.” But if you want to do your own thing, then just keep living by what you see and feel. Don’t try to look beyond your circumstances. Don’t you dare believe that things will get better. Nah! Just keep focusing on everything that’s going wrong and you definitely won’t flourish.
2. Constantly feel sorry for yourself.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV) says, “Give thanks in all circumstances…” While you’re looking at your circumstances, also add to that a big heaping measure of self-pity. I mean, how could you possibly give thanks during them? No one cares about what you’re going through. You’re sad, pitiful, and pathetic. Just keep wallowing and you’ll wither even more.
3. Refuse to get rid of sin.
Song of Songs 2:15 (NLT) says, “Catch all the little foxes before they ruin the vineyard…” But what do you care about your vineyard? You’re trying not to flourish, right? So, you might as well keep on doing that thing you’re doing (you know what it is). After all, choosing life (Deut. 30:19) will cause you to grow and thrive. You really don’t want to do that, do you?
4. Live in continual strife with others.
Psalm 133:1 (NIV) says, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” But who needs goodness and pleasantness? You’re trying to shrivel, aren’t you? So go ahead, quarrel, argue, and stir up strife with everyone you meet. That will really help you out.
5. Be super-sensitive and easy to get your feelings hurt.
1 Corinthians 13:5 (AMP) says that love “is not touchy or fretful or resentful.” But “they” were so rude to you. So don’t bother walking in love, because that will cause you to live in victory – a vibrant, beautiful life (and we’re going for withered).
6. Never forgive or forget.
Mark 11:25 (NLT) tells us, “When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” But think about what they did to you (and think about it over and over)! They probably did it on purpose, or they may not have even known they hurt you. But who cares? Continue to be angry and hold a grudge against them. (That’ll teach them!) And you can be content to lick your wounds.
7. Be selfish.
Philippians 2:3 (NLT) says, “Don’t be selfish…” But it really is all about you. So, make sure you take care of Number One. Refuse to have a generous, giving heart. Refuse to help, encourage, and cheer others on. Instead, think about yourself ALL the time. After all, you’re all you’ve got!
********
There are plenty of other ways not to flourish, but if you will follow these seven simple steps, you’ll be surprised at how fast you begin to wither! You’ll also live a sad, miserable existence, but at least you won’t be flourishing!
(And yes, this post was meant to be tongue-in-cheek. My desire is that you will choose to flourish. Therefore, do the complete opposite of each of these steps and you’ll find yourself thriving in life!)
Your approach to this was very convicting! We can’t hide behind these insights. They are there in plain view, every ugly detail of a life that will wither.
Thank you for a post that cuts to the heart of the matter and exposes these attitudes for how they can devastate a Christian life.
You have spurred me on to be more aware of how detrimental these attitudes are to myself and most especially to my walk with the Lord so that I will hear that still small voice say, “This is the way, walk in it.”
Thanks for sharing!