Do you know what separates people who merely survive life from those who truly thrive?

“To thrive in life, you need three bones:

A wishbone. A backbone. And a funny bone.”

You need a wishbone because you need something to hope for.

Keep dreaming. Keep praying. Keep believing that God is still working. Your present circumstances are not the end of your story. As long as God is holding the pen, there is always hope for another good chapter.

But a wishbone is not enough. You also need a backbone.

There will be times when you must stand for what is right, even if you are standing alone. You need the courage to face difficult days, make hard decisions, and get back up when life knocks you down.

Then, do not forget your funny bone!

Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.”

Life is serious, but that does not mean you have to walk around looking like you were baptized in pickle juice! Laugh at yourself. Enjoy the little things. Make room for joy.

Laughter does not mean you are ignoring your pain. It means you have decided that pain will not have the final word.

So keep hope in your heart, courage in your backbone, and a smile on your face.

Dream big. Stand strong. Laugh often. And through it all, trust God completely.

Which bone do you need strengthened today: your wishbone, your backbone, or your funny bone? Let me know in the comments, and share this with someone who needs a little encouragement!

Colossians 3:1 says, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”

My friend, life has a way of pulling our eyes downward.

We look at the bills.

We look at the problems.

We look at what somebody said about us.

We look at what went wrong yesterday and worry about what might go wrong tomorrow.

And before long, we can become so focused on what is happening around us that we forget what has happened within us.

Paul says, “If ye then be risen with Christ…”

In other words, remember who you are!

You belong to Jesus. You have been given new life. Your past does not get the final word. Your failures do not get the final word. Your circumstances do not get the final word.

Jesus does.

So Paul says, “seek those things which are above.”

That does not mean ignoring real life. It means looking at real life from a higher perspective.

Sometimes we need to lift our eyes.

There is still beauty in this world.

There are still people worth loving.

There are still blessings worth counting.

There is still laughter to enjoy.

There is still kindness to give.

And there is still a God who loves you more deeply than you can imagine.

So today, don’t spend all your time staring at what is wrong.

Look up!

Love somebody. Encourage somebody. Forgive somebody. Enjoy the little things God places along your path.

Because when your heart is set on Christ, you begin to discover something wonderful:

Heaven changes the way you see earth.

Have you ever noticed how much time we spend focusing on what is missing?

Someone once said, “When asked if my cup is half-full or half-empty, my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup.”

That is the heart of gratitude.

Gratitude does not deny that part of the cup is empty. It simply refuses to overlook what God has already placed in our hands.

First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Paul did not say we must be thankful for every painful circumstance. He said we can find a reason to thank God in every circumstance.

Your cup may contain some disappointment. There may be prayers that have not been answered and dreams that have not come together. But you are still here. God gave you another morning. His mercy is still new, His grace is still sufficient, and His presence is still with you.

You may not have everything you want, but you still have reasons to be grateful.

So before you complain about the empty part, thank God for the cup. Thank Him for what He has already provided. Thank Him for how far He has brought you.

Your cup may not be full yet, my friend, but God is still good, still faithful, and still working.

Hold your cup with a grateful heart and trust God with what comes next.