The Grass IS Always Greener . . .

exactly where God planted you!

I’ll come back to that truth in a little bit, but for now let’s dig in with the original idiom.

I recently read an article at Idioms.online that explained the origin of the statement, “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” Apparently, a Roman poet named Ovid (43 B.C.- 18 A.D.) wrote these words “ferilor seges est alienis semper in agris,” which translates to “the harvest is always more fruitful in another man’s field.” This idiom means that other people’s things/lives look better from a distance, but close up they are really not any better– just different.

Why do we waste so much time wondering what it would be like “if . . .”

, , , I lived in New York City, I owned a farm, I bought only name-brand clothing, I had a pool, I traveled to exotic places, I stayed home more often, I worked at home, I worked away from the home, etc.

The “IFS” are never ending if you let them get out of control.

Don’t get me wrong–I am all about a good “dream” session, where you think and plan for future activities in life or home improvement projects down the road, etc. I’m referring to the thoughts which make us begin to envy someone else’s life or lifestyle. You know, when you allow the lingering murmurs of “if onlys” and “I wonder ifs” to continuously loop through your brain’s thoughts.

All of the sudden your life doesn’t seem to measure up anymore, as if what we do, own, rent, or care for is no longer worth value.

Ouch! I am stepping on my own toes right now.

If you really start traveling down this slippery slope you soon develop the “ugly comparisms”. You’ve never heard of the comparisms disease? This dreaded malaise occurs when you compare your state in life with others around yourself or even with imaginary people in movies or on television and somehow your situation always comes up short.

Oh—I shudder–run quickly away from the “comparisms”–they will destroy all peace and contentment in your life.

So how do we combat these lingering thoughts?

Simply put . . . the first step is GRATITUDE!

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening, Psalm 92:1-2 (NLT)

Nothing changes our hearts quicker, than when we stop lamenting and begin thanking. I would venture to say that it is nearly impossible to be envious of another’s life, lifestyle, position, etc. when you are spending time being thankful for the things you do have. Gratefulness is the biggest combatant to the “comparisms” because it refocuses us to appreciate every good gift God gives us.

Step two is to find CONTENTMENT!

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Philippians 4:11-12 (NLT)

The Apostle Paul experienced a variety of lifestyle changes from wealth to imprisonment and he learned to be content whether he had much or little. Contentment is a learned behavior–it requires us to reign in our wants and trust God for our needs.

If I am being really honest here, I have contentment in spurts. I’m content for a season–then I give into the “I NEEDS”–which are really “I wants” disguised as” I needs.”

Do you know what I have discovered? I’m much happier when I have fewer things. When we lived in Honduras, our lifestyle involved so much less stress. What clothes to wear? The few I owned! What to eat? Whatever fruits/vegetables/meat found available at the roadside market or the local grocery stores. Fewer choices equal less stress. I honestly got overwhelmed by the many choices I faced for a little while when we first returned to the states. Contentment in all things is a work in progress, but it is the goal!

Finally, step three is to LOVE WHERE YOU ARE IN LIFE! The Grass TRULY IS GREENER right where you are! Even with ovarian cancer, even with a body that doesn’t work like I’d like it to, even with _______________ (you fill in the blank). I know this is true because God is with us no matter the circumstances. I love these words spoken by Moses to Joshua at the leadership transfer that took place so very long ago. In Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT), it says,

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.

God has never and will never abandon us. He is always with us and he will always be right there no matter the circumstance. We do not have to waste time yearning for things that will not satisfy our souls because THE ONE WHO SATISFIES OUR EVERY NEED is already with us!

Stop searching, looking, wanting, or wishing on things that will never live up to what we hope it will bring to our life.

Instead find joy, peace and contentment with God.

It’s ok if you need to wrestle a little with these thoughts–I did!

Hugs,