15 Bible Verses About Living Life to the Fullest
I’ve been watching the poplar leaves grow on the tree in the backyard this spring. Their tiny faces glanced at me through the finger-smeared glass the day I turned the calendar to May. As I opened my Bible in search of Bible verses about living life to the fullest, the leaves offered a reminder as well.
I reflected on the weeks spent watching them emerge and change. I remembered noticing the first tiny buds. Every day, they grew a bit more, and I didn’t miss it when the tiny leaves finally grew wide and offered shade on a sunny afternoon.
Watching the summer canopy grow was a gentle reminder of how to live life to the fullest: I find greater joy when I remember to slow down and embrace the quiet moments. I find joy when I slow down to notice God’s quiet gifts.
I reflected on this as I began copying the following Bible verses about living life to the fullest in my journal.
Bible Verses About Living Life to the Fullest
Wherever you are today, I pray these words bless and inspire you as well. I also invite you to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you embrace God’s gifts and live life to the fullest.
15 Bible Verses About Living Life to the Fullest and Embracing God’s Joy
1. Psalm 37:4, ESV
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
When God is our great delight, he changes our hearts. We begin to sincerely desire what he desires. As a result, he gives us the desires of our hearts.
We live life to the fullest when we make God our greatest delight.
2. Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
The Apostle Paul shared these words from prison. He wasn’t saying that we can accomplish every goal we set. More accurately, he was encouraging us to persevere. We can endure any trial when we lean on Christ for strength.
We live life to the fullest when Jesus becomes our ultimate source of refuge and strength.
3. Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Do you want greater joy? Draw near to God.
In his presence, you will find fullness of joy that surpasses any temporal pleasures this earth could ever offer.
4. 2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Fear paralyzes. When we feel fearful, we often escape into unhealthy behaviors, numb ourselves, become paralyzed, or try to overcome fear in our own strength.
Instead of these responses, God’s Word reminds us that God has given us the spirit of power, love, and self-control. Claim this verse when you feel fearful and move in the direction of victory.
5. Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Planning is wise. Yet we all face times when our plans fall apart.
When this happens, we can stand on Proverbs 16:9. God knows what is best for each of us. We can trust that when our plans fall apart, he is still sovereign. He is still working in our lives.
6. Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
We live life to the fullest when we put our whole hearts into the work set before us.
Whatever the Lord sets before you today, work at it with all your heart.
7. Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Are you facing a confusing or discouraging situation?
Trust that God will use this for good in your life. Press close to him. Ask him to help you grow in trust. Cling to the promise that he can use even the greatest tragedies for good.
Bible Verses About Living Life to the Fullest by Following Jesus
8. John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
We live life to the fullest when we let the light of Christ fill our hearts. When we surrender to him and commit to following him, he fills us with light, life, purpose, and joy.
9. Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
The world has certain ideas about how to live to the fullest. Meanwhile, God’s Word reminds us that we live to the fullest by asking God to transform our minds so that we can walk in his will.
10. Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
What are you seeking first? Money? Security? Popularity? Comfort?
Jesus reminds us to seek God’s kingdom first, pursuing God’s desires, and all these things will be given to us as well.
11. Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
We fail to live to the fullest when the worries of tomorrow weigh us down. What do you need to let go of as you aim to live fully present today?
12. Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
This verse reminds us that we don’t live for ourselves. We live for Christ. The pathway to the fullest life is always found by following Jesus.
3 More Bible Verses About Living Life to the Fullest
13. Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
Did a loving adult comfort you by singing over you when you were a child?
My mom used to sing over me to calm me while rubbing my forearm gently. Thoughts of her loving voice and gentle touch fill me with comfort even now. In a similar way, God sings over us and wants to comfort us with his love.
We can face any challenge because the Creator of the world sings over us.
14. John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Jesus came to give us abundant life. He also overcame the works of the enemy once and for all.
When you sense that Satan is out to steal, kill, and destroy in your life, stand on the promise that Christ is greater. Rebuke the enemy in the name of Jesus and command him to leave.
Jesus came to lead us into the greatest celebration of all: his victory. We find joy in this victory.
15. Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
In his letter to the Philippian church, the Apostle Paul offered instructions on what to do in our anxious moments. We are to present our troubles to God with thanksgiving.
As we cast our cares on God, his peace guards our hearts and minds.
What do you need to cast onto God today?
Let’s see how these Bible verses about joy in the Lord apply to our everyday lives. Return with me to our cabin in the woods, and we’ll talk about finding God’s joy.
Let’s Apply These Bible Verses About Living Life to the Fullest to Our Lives:
I haven’t found lasting victory in this battle to live present in every moment. However, I’m growing. I’m making progress.
Here are a few tips to help you live to the fullest.
1. Reset your pace with five minutes of stillness every morning.
Commit to five minutes of silence and stillness each morning. Use this time to do one thing: Rest in God’s presence. Focus on God’s delight in you.
Commit to five minutes of silence and stillness each morning. Use this time to do one thing: Rest in God’s presence as you sit in the awareness of his love for you. #rest #Jesus #Godslove Share on X
If possible, turn away from the tasks and messes that tempt you to make to-do lists. Resist the urge to move from your spot. Sit by a window and watch the heavens declare the glory of God. This will force you out of your frenzied pace and set a slower, more intentional, and focused pace for your whole day.
2. Learn how to love your life with a weekly day to rest and play.
God wants the Sabbath to be a gift for you. I grew up with a misunderstanding regarding God’s good intentions for this day of rest. In her memoir, Stranger in the Midst, Nan Fink writes these words about the Jewish Sabbath, or Shabbat:
“Shabbat is like nothing else. Time as we know it does not exist for these twenty-four hours, and the worries of the week soon fall away. A feeling of joy appears. The smallest object, a leaf or a spoon, shimmers in a soft light, and the heart opens. Shabbat is a meditation of unbelievable beauty.”
I want to fall in love with the Sabbath like this, and I believe Nan Fink’s words are relevant to us today.
Have you made it a priority to carve out a day for rest and play?
It doesn’t have to be Sunday, and if you can’t find a full day, find a half-day. Use this time to do something you love. Step away from the regular demands of life and enjoy God’s gifts.
We take a day of rest in order to learn to carry this mentality of rest into the remainder of our lives, learning to rest in the Lord, even as we work throughout the week.
3. Turn off social media for one day each week.
Social media can be draining.
Make a commitment to turn it off one day each week. You will feel refreshed. You will also combat the compulsive desire to become overly dependent upon social media.
Instead, use your time for face-to-face interaction with loved ones. Make a phone call. Write a note. Play a board game. Head outside. Read a book. Practice “being all there.”
4. Save space between tasks.
Do you really want to let go of your hurried way of life? Plan ahead and save five extra minutes before leaving the house.
Don’t fill your schedule so full there’s no room to breathe between errands, no time to slow down and talk to a neighbor, and no margin for slow-moving vehicles and traffic jams. (To learn how to leave more margin time in your days, join me here.)
It is possible to live present to our days and the people God places in our paths. I remind myself of this truth as the hands of the poplar wave above the deck. I would do well to slow my pace and follow their gentle lead.
Calling All Parents (and Grandparents)!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Attention, All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
Learn Why Willpower Doesn’t Work and Experience God’s Deliverance and Healing
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here. (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!
A Free Daily Devotional for Joy and Peace
I invite you to create space for God to transform your life by downloading a free copy of my devotional eBook, The Lean Into Grace Devotional: An 8-Day Devotional for Healing, Deliverance, and Replenishment. These pages are your invitation to stop striving in self-effort and let God do what you’ve been unable to do for yourself. We will create space to let God set us free from fear, worry, stress, shame, besetting sins, and more. Find it for free here. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here!
