Why Do I Feel Unfulfilled? (Living an Abundant Life)

I have plentiful work I can do from home that pays well. But that doesn’t bring an abundant life. 

I live in a state park. But that doesn’t bring an abundant life.

I am blessed with a husband devoted to his family. But that doesn’t bring an abundant life.

I have four children who are generally kind and mostly choose to do what is right. But that doesn’t bring an abundant life. 

I am healthy and have a loving, large, extended family. But that doesn’t bring an abundant life. 

I live in the world’s richest country and have a roof over my head, a heater and air conditioner, a pantry filled with food, and closets and drawers bursting with clothes. But that doesn’t bring an abundant life. 

I possess nearly everything the culture says brings a life of abundance, yet I still have moments and days where I am dissatisfied.

I suspect you do too. 

life-in-abundance-

Why do I feel unfulfilled?  

Do I just need more, one more thing, that final touch, to bring fulfillment?

For years, I thought having everything I wanted would bring fulfillment. That if God just granted me all the details of my plan, it would be enough. 

But the only way our plan is enough is if that plan is surrendering to God. Surrendering all we possess. Surrendering our desires. Surrendering even our good things for His best. 

Having plenty in this life does not bring fulfillment, because the things of this world do not bring Life. Not a life that really matters. Not a life that lasts for eternity. 

Having plenty in this life doesn't bring fulfillment, because the world's things do not bring Life, only Jesus does. Click To Tweet

We can drink our fill from this world’s wells and still be thirsty. We can have all the bread of this world and still be hungry. 

An abundant life can never be found in this world. Abundance is only found in Jesus Christ. 

Holding too tightly to the wrong thing

When I begin to feel that all-too-familiar feeling of dissatisfaction, I know I’m holding too tightly to something of this world. 

That’s my cue to loosen my grip on the food and drink of this life and let the Lord fill my life with His thirst-quenching water and bread.

Because whether you have plenty or little in this world, in Jesus Christ, you can have a life of abundance. 

Whether you have plenty or little in this world, in Jesus Christ, you can have a life of abundance. Click To Tweet

“I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again.” John 6:35

Reflections: In what areas of your life are you feeling unfulfilled? Are you holding too tightly to a certain promise of this world instead of the life-giving promise found in Jesus Christ? 

I’m excited to continue recording blessings this year. Since beginning over 3 years ago, I’ve counted more than 3,500 gifts in Ann Voskamp’s Joy Dare! What a blessing! So here we go in 2015: #3765–3785, read my entire list by clicking here.

  • *Seeing a brilliant shooting star on a dull 1a.m. drive home–helping to keep me awake; *Hubby letting me sleep in this morning; *Boys arriving safely at their destinations
  • My ACL-repaired knee is strong enough to play basketball with my son; A bit of time tonight to write; Seeing new growth everyday
  • *Little-girl tickles; *Sweet giggles; *Creating our Grace Garden
  • *Generous ladies offering to squeeze me into their space for a few nights; *Connecting with a soon-to-be new friend who I will meet at a conference in a few months; *Experiencing the meaning of “the word of God is living and active”
  • *Breaking of His Body; shedding of His Blood, for me; *Easter egg dying, even for the big boys; *Being with this guy and his smile for another weekend
  • *An owl hooting match in the pine trees near our house; *Boys enjoying time kayaking; *”Sprouting” grace garden*The Risen Lord!; *Daniel spending Easter with his cousin Betsy so he didn’t have to be alone; *Fabulous weather for a day celebrating with family

By His grace ≈

Julie

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Find hope in your real-life struggles. We'll chase it together! I am a wife; mom of 4 (including a young adult daughter with special needs); miscarriage mom of 5; author & follower of Jesus Christ. I write, edit, speak and enjoy everything outdoors.

2 comments on “Why Do I Feel Unfulfilled? (Living an Abundant Life)
  1. Cecelia Lester (Quiet Spirit) says:

    Julie: When I begin to feel the discouragement of not feeling fulfilled, I KNOW I have looked away, ever so little, from Jesus. We have to constantly surrender ourselves to Him.

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