What Does An 'Abundant Life' Really Mean?

I was sitting on our back deck, baby babbling in the sunshine and mulling over the question I get often these days… “How are you doing–really?” It’s a hard one for me to answer.

In the moment I felt happy, calm, and dare I say, relaxed—or as relaxed as one can be with four children scampering around. (Twenty minutes later, I would feel overwhelmed, tired, and impatient. Life with cancer, heck, life with kids, is a rollercoaster, and I am not a thrill-seeker. 🤣)

Image of a field of lavender at sunset with large text overlay reading: "What does an abundant life really mean?"

It takes a lot of faith to live with joy when life sucks. Yet, we are living with joy.

We are laughing, we are making memories, we have cancer jokes, the Beetles are playing, and we aren’t sunk into a pit of despair. Joy is a habit and we keep on doing things that bring us joy and make life lighter, even on the hard days.

As I sat on the deck, I pondered on whether I would describe this moment, these weeks, and the ones ahead as “abundant.” I’ve talked, written, and thought about “the abundant life” for years. I’ve gotten push back that it’s a bit “pie in the sky” or, even worse, that it is a fresh disguise for the prosperity gospel. My belief that joy is always possible and abundance is always available for God’s children is neither of those to me.

It’s simply a promise of God, not rooted in our circumstances or experiences, but in our intimate knowledge of Jesus.

If we believe true abundance is Jesus Himself—then yes—we can have joy in all things. Because Jesus is with us in autoimmune disease, in three kids under three, in tight budgets, in sleepless nights, in doubt, in faith, in cancer treatment, in good days, and bad days. (It’s also not a crime against your faith to acknowledge there are bad days.)

Woman in a pink floral dress and long brown hair looks out over a field of lavender at golden hour. Text at the top is a quote about abundance.

Abundance from a Biblical Perspective

In my first chapter of the book I hope to publish about motherhood and abundance, I write the following:

“In contrast to Satan’s thievery and decimation in John 10:10, Jesus extends an invitation. “A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” (The Message)

In Greek, the word translated as ‘abundance’ is ‘perissos,’ meaning exceeding, over and above, more than is needed. It’s about having your cup overflowing. But it doesn’t just mean full or above; it also means superior, extraordinary, surpassing, and uncommon. “Perissos” isn’t only about quantity, it’s about quality–a life overflowing with more and better than we could ever dream.

That doesn’t mean that our lives are going to overflow with top-of-the-line minivans or gorgeous kitchens or once-in-a-lifetime vacations. It might (and goodness knows we will be thankful if it does), but as we read our Bibles and understand God’s heart to us, we see that He knows what is actually valuable in life and that is what he longs to overflow to us.”

a collage image of watercolor illustrations for what a life of abundance means and what it doesn't mean. The top images are of a couple dancing, a white house, a woman doing yoga, a pile of cash and a suitcase. At the bottom under the Biblical abundance does mean section is a woman in a yellow sweater, a Bible, a JOY in script font, a heart and a dove.

What does an ‘Abundant Life’ really mean?

The abundant life Jesus promised to us is more than ideal circumstances and cool stuff. It is…

Knowing God more in both the bitter and sweet of life.

Philippians 3:8 “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” (NIV)

Deep, abiding joy.

1 Peter 1:8 “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” (NIV)

A sense of purpose to my days.

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (NLT)

Overflowing love to everyone in my life from the cashier at the grocery store to my nearest and dearest.

1 Thessalonians 3:12 “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.” (NIV)

Peace that defies understanding when life is uncertain.

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

Forgiveness of the past for others and yourself.

Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (NIV)”

So. How are we doing?

four young kids sit on a deck on a bright and sunny day

We’re doing life to the full. Abundance in the midst of cancer treatments, a busy baby, the school year wrapping up, and making plans that may or may not have to be put on hold. We are being met and sustained in beautiful ways by Jesus and by his bride, the church. We are singing “Here Comes the Sun” at the top of our lungs. We are planting flowers and picking dandelions. We are making new friends, getting haircuts, and eating ice cream. We’re crying, talking about hard things, and giving each other grace.

Challenging? Yes. Still good? Absolutely.