There comes a moment when you realize that survival just isn’t enough. It’s not wrong—it’s just incomplete. For a long time, maybe surviving was the win. Just breathing. Just staying in the game. Just putting one foot in front of the other with your faith limping but still alive. And if that’s where you are now, listen, there’s no shame in survival. But don’t stop there, because God didn’t call you just to survive. He called you to rise to a life beyond what you could ever accomplish on your own.

He called you to live, not just exist. To thrive, not just dodge the next hit. To be rooted in hope, even while the storm’s still raging.

In John 10:10 (NLT), Jesus said, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” This verse right here—it’s a game-changer. A “rich and satisfying life” doesn’t always look like the easy road. It doesn’t always mean your bank account’s full or your body’s whole or your schedule’s peaceful. But it does mean purpose. It means peace that doesn’t make sense. It means joy in the middle of brokenness. It means waking up to the fact that you were made for more — and God’s not playing about it.

More Than Making It

It’s crazy how often we get caught up in just “making it” and forget to ask what we’re moving toward. And maybe some of us have never even been sure what that looks like. But what if the goal isn’t just surviving or “making it” at all? What if we’re called to something bigger—something deeper—like living a life filled with purpose, peace, and hope, even when things are messy?

That “something bigger” is living a life that goes beyond just getting by. It’s a life where purpose pulls you forward even when the road’s rough. It’s peace that settles deep inside, not because everything’s perfect, but because you know you’re held steady. It’s hope that refuses to quit, even when the storms won’t stop.

It’s about waking up each day believing you were made for more than just survival—believing you were made to thrive, to grow, to carry light in the dark. And yes, that kind of life won’t always be easy, but it’s the life God has for you. A life where your faith isn’t just limping along, but standing strong and full of promise.

Remember what the Lord says in Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT): “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”. This is a powerful word for the wounded. It’s a promise for people who’ve been crawling through life but desire to stand tall on God’s promises as citizens of His Kingdom.

No matter how far you’ve come—or how heavy the road—God’s plans are still good. They’re designed to lift you higher, to give you hope that won’t quit, and to lead you into a future filled with His purpose and peace.

When You’ve Forgotten How to Dream

Let’s be real. Trauma will train you to stop dreaming. Disappointment will teach you to settle. You start to shrink your faith to match your circumstances, rather than enlarging your view to match His promises. But God is not intimidated by your fatigue. He’s not mad at your numbness. He’s just not leaving you there.

Psalm 31:24 (NLT) tells us, “So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!” That verse serves as a reorientation, reigniting our focus on where true strength comes from. It reminds us that courage isn’t the absence of fear or weariness—it’s choosing to rise again because our hope is anchored in our Heavenly Father. Because here’s the truth: God can do more with a bruised, willing heart than a polished, self-sufficient one.

You’re Not Just a Survivor — You’re a Sign

You’re not just someone who made it through. You’re a signpost that says, “God is still faithful.” You’re a walking sermon—a living witness that grace works and mercy finds people in the dark. So don’t hide your healing, and don’t tone down your testimony because someone else hasn’t walked it. Romans 8:28 (NLT) reminds us, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Everything. Not just the easy chapters or the wins you can post about—everything in your story can be used by God to shape you, strengthen you, and draw you closer to Him. Even the moments you thought would break you can become the places where His goodness shows up the most.

So if you’re tired of just making it, let this be your reminder: you were never meant to live a life defined by survival. You were meant for more—more joy, more purpose, more of His presence in every step you take.

God is calling you higher. He’s calling you to trust that His plans for you are still good. He’s calling you to stand tall, even with the scars, and let your life shine as proof that His grace is enough. You’re not just a survivor—you’re a living sign that His Kingdom is real and His promises will never fail.

You weren’t built just to make it through—you were created to live rooted, rising, and carrying Kingdom light into dark places. So lift your eyes and stand firm on His promises—they will not fail you. Be renewed in the spirit of your mind and know this: survival might be part of the middle, but God is faithfully guiding you into so much more. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“When God Calls You to More Than Survival”, written for Springfield Fellowship © 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.