From Survival to Revival: A Journey to Spiritual Vitality Awaits You
Hey friends,
Mike Manuel here—pastor, author, and someone passionate about helping people move from merely surviving to truly thriving in their walk with God. I’ve got some exciting news: my new book, From Survival to Revival: Practical Steps to Spiritual Vitality, is coming soon! I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it because I believe it will be a game-changer for anyone who’s ever felt stuck in a spiritual rut. Be on the lookout for it—I’ll let you know as soon as it’s available!
In the meantime, I want to give you a sneak peek into what this book is all about. If you’ve ever felt like you’re just going through the motions in your spiritual life—like you’re surviving but not really thriving—you’re not alone. I’ve been there, too, and I’ve seen it in countless people I’ve pastored. But here’s the good news: Jesus didn’t come so we could just get by. He promised us an abundant life (John 10:10), and I’ve written this book to help you bridge the gap between languishing and flourishing. The principles of the life transformation available in my book are taken from God’s interactions with Gideon, found in the book of Judges.
Let me share a few pain points you might recognize, along with the transformation God offers—and some practical excerpts from the book to encourage you today.
Pain Point #1: Silent Suffering
Have you ever found yourself in a funk—not a dramatic crisis, but a persistent, low-grade heaviness where joy feels distant, and you’re just running on fumes? I call this “languishing,” and it’s more common than you might think, especially in our Western churches. I’ve experienced seasons in my life when I felt inexplicably empty. It wasn’t depression, but it sure wasn’t vitality either.
The Transformation: Crying Out to God
The first step out of this silent suffering is simpler than you might expect: cry out to God. In From Survival to Revival, I unpack how the Israelites, after seven years of oppression from the Midianites, finally reached a breaking point and asked God for help (Judges 6:6). That’s when everything shifted. Here’s an excerpt from Chapter 1 to encourage you:
“Sometimes in our worst funks, all we can manage is a feeble cry for help. But that’s enough. God doesn’t need eloquence; He simply responds to sincerity. I remember one night, lying in bed, feeling spiritually dry, and all I could muster was, ‘God, help.’ Within days, I felt life returning. The spark reignited. All from two simple words.”
If you’re languishing today, try it. Just say, “God, I need you. Again.” He’s waiting to respond.
Pain Point #2: Forgetting God’s Faithfulness
When we’re stuck in languishing, it’s easy to develop spiritual amnesia. We forget the times God has come through for us, and that forgetfulness robs us of hope for the future. I once counseled a woman who was overwhelmed with financial anxiety. She couldn’t see a way forward—until we started recalling how God had provided for her in the past.
The Transformation: Building Faith Through Testimony
In the book, I dive into how remembering God’s faithfulness—whether from your own life or someone else’s—builds faith that leads to hope and breakthrough. Here’s a snippet from Chapter 2:
“Faith isn’t built in a vacuum—it’s constructed on the foundation of remembered faithfulness. If you don’t have your own testimony, borrow one. I once shared a story with a discouraged young man about a friend who’d been jobless but kept trusting Jesus, only to land a better job weeks later. That borrowed testimony sparked hope—and two months later, he had his own story of God’s provision.”
This week, jot down three times God has been faithful to you in the past. Let those memories fuel your faith for whatever you’re facing now.
Pain Point #3: Problems That Seem Unsolvable
Have you ever faced a situation where you’ve tried everything, and nothing worked? At 18, I was a student pilot flying my first cross-country solo flight when my plane’s engine quit 700 feet above ground. I thought I was done—until Jesus showed me a divine strategy to land safely in a field I hadn’t even noticed.
The Transformation: Receiving Divine Strategies
God specializes in supernatural solutions for impossible problems. In Chapter 10, I explore how God’s bizarre battle plan for Gideon with trumpets and torches defeated an army of 135,000 (Judges 7). Here’s a taste:
“Divine strategies are birthed out of a close relationship with Jesus. When human wisdom runs out, worship first, then ask, ‘Lord, show me what to do.’ There have been more than a few times where the Holy Spirit gave me divine strategies that I never would have thought of on my own.”
What’s your unsolvable problem? Take it to God today and ask for His strategy. Be ready—it might surprise you!
Pain Point #4: The Spiritual Roller Coaster
Finally, do you ever ride the spiritual roller coaster—close to God in hard times, drifting away when things get good? After Gideon’s victory, Israel flourished for 40 years, then forgot God entirely (Judges 8:33-34). I’ve seen this pattern too often in modern believers.
The Transformation: Abiding in Christ
The key to sustained flourishing is abiding in Jesus, not just in crisis but in prosperity, too. From Chapter 12:
“Jesus said, ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.’ (John 15:5). Worship regularly, practice gratitude, pray fervently, and stay in community—these keep you connected to the Vine, producing love, joy, and peace no matter the season.”
Decide today to abide in Him, even when life is good. It’s the secret to staying off the roller coaster.
Be on the Lookout!
These are just a taste of what’s coming in From Survival to Revival: Practical Steps to Spiritual Vitality. This book is packed with biblical insights, personal stories, and actionable steps to help you move from languishing to flourishing—and stay there. Whether you’re feeling empty, stuck, or just longing for more, I wrote this for you. Keep an eye out for its release—I’ll be sharing more details soon!
In the meantime, start with a simple prayer: “God, I need you. Again.” Then watch how He begins to lead you from survival to revival. I’m praying for you, and I’d love to hear how God’s moving in your life as you wait for the book. Drop me a note or comment below!
Blessings,
Mike
