From Striving to Thriving

Divine Inspirations | By Dee Davis

Focus Scripture — Psalm 18:16 (NLT)

“He reached down from heaven and rescued me; He drew me out of deep waters.”

Devotional:

There is a time in every woman’s journey when she realizes she’s been living in survival mode for far too long.

Life has tossed her in deep waters — emotional pain, betrayal, disappointment, uncertainty, loss, transitions, or seasons where she felt like she was barely holding on.

But Psalm 18:16 speaks with a mighty whisper:

God does not leave His daughters drowning. He reaches down. He rescues. He lifts. He restores.

Surviving is what kept you alive —

But thriving is what God always intended.

Thriving means:

✔ walking in your identity

✔ embracing joy again

✔ reclaiming your voice

✔ standing in purpose

✔ living in emotional and spiritual wholeness

✔ flourishing in places you once felt forgotten

You may have been in survival mode, but God is calling you up, out, and forward.

You are stepping into a season where you will breathe differently, move differently, and see yourself differently.

This isn’t just recovery.

This is renewal.

This is rebirth.

This is thriving.

Reflection Question

• Where in my life have I been surviving instead of thriving—and what “deep waters” do I need to allow God to lift me out of?

Action Steps

1. Identify your survival patterns.

   
   

   Write down what has drained you, limited you, or kept you in emotional or spiritual exhaustion.

2. Invite God into the deep waters.

   
   

   Pray specifically about what you need Him to pull you out of — fear, old wounds, stagnation, discouragement, or weariness.

3. Take one step toward thriving.

   • Set a boundary

   • Initiate healing

   • Return to prayer habits

   • Create a small self-care routine

   • Re-engage your purpose

     Choose one and commit to it this week.

4. Speak a thriving affirmation daily.

   
   

   “I am rising. I am flourishing. God is lifting me out of the deep.”

Encouragement for Your Journey

Women…God sees every place where you’ve been holding your breath just to make it through the day.

He has not forgotten you, overlooked you, or abandoned you.

The deep waters won’t drown you — they will develop you.

You are stepping into a season where your strength will return, your joy will rise, and your purpose will unfold.

You are not just coming out… You are coming up.

You are not just living… You are thriving.

And God is holding you every step of the way.

Prayer

Father, thank You for reaching down and lifting me out of every deep water that has tried to overwhelm my life. Help me to release survival mode and embrace the abundant life You have promised. Strengthen my heart, renew my mind, and restore my joy. Teach me to walk in confidence, peace, and purpose. Lead me into a season of thriving where I flourish in Your love and stand firmly in Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Stay encouraged and be blessed.