How Can I Live My Best Life Now?

Happy New Year! It’s the time of resolutions and goal setting. How’s living your best life for a goal in 2023?

When I hear this question I think about a preacher named Joel Osteen.

What does “best” mean when we’re talking about living your “best” life? We have to have a definition for it. So what do you think?

When I’m trying to define anything like this, a question this important, I want to look to Scripture. And this question reminds me of John 10:10.

John 10:10 ESV

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Abundant. That Greek word that is used there means beyond or extraordinary or superior. So I want to choose whatever Jesus calls extraordinary as my definition for my best life.

Following Jesus is not only the way to eternal life, but also the way to the best life on this Earth.

pray

But doesn’t Jesus say that if you live for Him then you will go through suffering for it? That it will be difficult? Yes. In Luke 9.23 he says we must die to ourselves. So someone may argue that Jesus is contradicting Himself. To the person that says that, let me respond, no He isn’t. It can be true that following Him brings suffering and at the same time be true that following Him brings us our best life. The blessings are so great that they outweigh, overshadow the difficulties we will face.

And this chapter offers seven pieces of evidence to support this claim!

People who go to church are happier and healthier

Research has shown that children raised with the habit of going to church tend to be happier and have a greater sense of purpose than the non-religious.

Research has shown that people who go to church regularly are happier, tend to have better physical health, emotional health, and even live longer.

Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV)

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

When God had the writer of Hebrews write this down, it wasn’t cause He just wanted to make us wake up early one more day of the week. He loves us and knows what is good for us!

Love is the most important thing

It’s pretty clear when you read the Bible that God is all about love. In fact, He is love.

1 John 4:16 ESV

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

The greatest commandment is to love God and the second is to love each other. The world will know God’s people by the love we have for one another. God so loves us that He sent Jesus to save us!

Research has shown that good relationships with our family and friends keep us happiest and healthiest.

It’s like God knew what He was talking about!

1 John 4:21 ESV

And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Love isn’t just a feeling, it’s an action. It moves us to serve others.

Helping others is good for us

In fact, research has shown that caring for another person may even do you more good than the person you’re helping!

Jesus told us that it’s good for us to serve other people.

John 13:14–15 ESV

If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

He set the example for us because He loves us and He wants to give us abundant life.

Gratitude is good for us

Intentionally being thankful for our blessings helps us see them more.

When Kristen and I think about all the kindness and generosity we’ve been shown over the last six months and how thankful we are for it it’s overwhelming. I’ve never felt loved by others the way I have. Thinking about it warms my heart. I know that’s a super corny thing to say, but I don’t know another way to say it.

Psychologist have discovered that people who choose to be grateful are happier and healthier than others.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 ESV

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Forgiveness is good for you

You’ve probably heard before that holding on to anger is like a poison. On the other hand, studies have shown that forgiving others is good for us mentally and physically.

It makes me think of the parable of the prodigal son. This guy has two sons and one says he wants his inheritance from his dad and he goes and blows it all and then comes crawling back home. Dad throws his son a party, but the other son is so mad at his brother and his dad that he misses the party because he doesn’t want to forgive his brother.

Forgiveness, us being forgiven and forgiving others, is a pillar of Christianity.

Matthew 6:12 ESV

and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Jesus suggested that there should be no limit to our forgiveness towards others. That’s how his forgiveness towards us works!

Grit is great

Grit is a fun word right? It sounds intense, makes me feel like I want a battle. But that’s not exactly what we’re talking about here. Psychologist call grit sticking with something for a long time even through hardship, and they have found that this trait is one of the most important in achieving long term success, more so than intelligence, good looks, or talent.

You’ve got to be gritty to be a Christ follower. Who’s gritty? Who can do the gritty?

We’re told in Scripture to endure. To “run the race”. Paul is a great example of this “grittiness”. He was in prison, beaten, stoned, all kinds of stuff. Here’s what he says at the end of his life.

2 Timothy 4:6–7 ESV

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

That’s the picture of grit.

Love of money lets us down

Many people think more money is an essential part of happiness. What does getting more money usually make you want?

There’s a story that says John Rockefeller, one of the richest people on the planet in the early 1900’s, was once asked how much money was enough and he replied, “Just a little more.”

But what experts have found is that choosing money over people is a sure path to unhappiness.

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Seven evidences that following Jesus gives us the best life we can have on this Earth. An atheist psychologist named Jonathan Haidt said that

Just as plants need sun, water, and good soil to thrive, people need love, work, and a connection to something larger.

Guess where you find all those things.

Go to chapter summary in book

Jesus wants us to have abundant life. That begins with acknowledging our need for Him and putting our faith in Him…