“I’m not telling you this because I’m in need, for I have learned to be satisfied in any circumstance. I know what it means to lack, and I know what it means to experience overwhelming abundance. For I’m trained in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty.”
Philippians 4:11-13 (TPT)
With our little country town growing rapidly, I still find joy on the road to H-E-B watching the Longhorns graze on a small patch of land that is not yet developed. Not long ago though, there was a big ole head with long horns struggling to get unstuck from the barbed wire fence. I guess the grass must have seemed greener on the other side of the fence so the Longhorn maneuvered herself to a place she thought was more favorable. But in turn, she ended up getting stuck, and I’m sure, hurt a bit by the barbs on the fence as well.
For many of us too, there is always a sense that the grass is greener somewhere else. Anxiety, worry, doubt, and fear often accompany our “greener” thoughts. And as comparison, resentment, and envy grows, so does our bitterness and depression. We push ourselves into dangerous places mentally and physically when we allow our discontent to get us stuck. Not only does it steal our joy, it hides our hope and thwarts our forward progress.
In the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, there is a guiding principle that “acceptance is the answer to all of your problems today”, and as acceptance must also be accompanied by appreciation, ambition, and prayer, it is one thing we can do to find contentment where we are. Accepting the circumstances of the things we cannot change today is the beginning of letting go and letting God. It is the beginning of allowing joy and peace to overflow into hope as we trust in Him (Romans 15:13).
Appreciation plays a huge part in maintaining our joy as well. Praising God for what we have and where we are – even if it’s not the place we most desire – brings us into His Presence. When Paul wrote the above verse to the Philippians, he was writing from a prison cell. He knew that his joy didn’t come from within the walls of the prison, but his joy came from knowing Christ and focusing his energy on his faith. He didn’t ever fail to acknowledge all the wonderful things God had done for him, even though some were excruciatingly painful. And through praise and worship of the Lord Jesus Christ, he found joy and contentment in the midst of the worst.
And as it is certainly true that opportunities may arise for greener grass, many of our circumstances are not able to be changed right away. But since our current situations don’t define who we are or where we are headed, we don’t have to be stuck within the reality of what it is. We must have the ambition to see the good in where we are and the good in where we are going. God never leaves us in a place without hope. He never leaves us in a place without goodness. And He never leaves us in place without His source of power. It may very well be that something good lies right in the middle of where we are, but we miss out because we are focusing on other pastures – pastures that we perceive as better, but pastures that might not necessarily be better for us.
God is a pretty smart guy, and He puts us right where He wants us. We may not always agree, but He knows the plans He has for us and has given us the perfect place to graze and sow. He will bring us the strength to move forward, the joy of contentment, and the wisdom to grow if we will only rest in Him.
May God’s explosive power infuse you today to overcome the situations that keep you unsettled. May you find acceptance, appreciation, and ambition to graze in God’s goodness and to sow the pasture He has given you. The grass may always seem greener on the other side, but achieving peace and joy in the present moment will reap benefits that bridge the growth of your future.
