You can have heard the phrase “bloom where God plants you,” but we’re never told how exactly one does this. How are you able to bloom where God plants you, and the way can we approach this from a Scripture perspective?
Is this phrase even biblical? Let’s discuss.
What Does “Bloom Where God Plants You” Mean?
For those unfamiliar with planting metaphors, the phrase essentially means, “Do the perfect with the circumstances God has given you.”
Christians are all-too-familiar with life’s differing seasons. Sometimes, we experience highs akin to promotions, beautiful relationships, births, and overwhelming joys. We may experience loss, layoffs, health issues, and deep valleys during other periods.
“Bloom where God plants you” encourages believers to praise God and endure the circumstances. To decide to thrive, regardless of what life has handed us.
Can You Find “Bloom Where God Plants You” within the Bible?
Not exactly. We see verses akin to those featured in Psalms 1 that discuss trees being watered by the word of the Lord.
We ceaselessly see Jesus consult with himself as a vine, and we’re the branches. We can do nothing aside from him. So, regardless of where we discover ourselves on the “said” branch, we cannot thrive aside from God.
The closest we get to this phrasing comes from 1 Corinthians 7. Toward the tip of this passage, we see Paul encouraging people to remain where God calls them. To thrive under the circumstances through which they’re placed.
I also consider examples akin to Joseph in Egypt. Enslaved and later thrown into prison, he could’ve chosen to not do good work, to complain about his circumstances. Instead, he works hard. He thrives in less-than-ideal conditions. God blesses those efforts.
However, we see the converse of this analogy in Jesus’ parable of the seeds. Seeds in thorny or rocky paths don’t bloom where they’re planted. So, the phrase may not hold complete biblical weight.
But let’s say for argument’s sake that we are able to glean some theological merit from “Bloom where God plants you.” How will we even begin to unpack it?
What Are the Downsides to Saying “Bloom Where God Plants You”?
Unfortunately, just a few downsides have sprouted (applause for the joke, please) from this. You’ve likely heard some variation of this phrase, which brings us to the primary downside.
1. It’s develop into a cliche.
We’ve heard it so often that it has lost its intended meaning. We may comprehend it’s best to profit from our current circumstances, but unless we see some variation, it has fallen into Christian-ese territory. We cannot expect believers or nonbelievers to be encouraged as much as they could have been when the phrasing first occurred.
2. It’s develop into a copout.
People never like to see family members endure suffering. Every a part of us desires to put an end to a trial. Seeing as we are able to’t, though, we frequently resort to platitudes. Although our hearts could also be in the precise place, patting someone on the shoulder and essentially telling them to weather the storm does little to assist with their circumstances. It shows an absence of empathy when we should always couple this phrase with motion.
Not to say, this phrase only sometimes applies to some circumstances. Sometimes, when thrown into the trenches, we are able to “grin and bear it” and take a look at our greatest, and we may find yourself on the more severe side. Being told this phrase during times like that may feel like a slap within the face. As if we didn’t have enough faith or didn’t earn ok treatment.
3. It’s develop into outdated.
Although Jesus used a whole lot of farming and planting metaphors, those in his day would’ve been accustomed to their culture revolving around an agrarian society. If most individuals worked, they might’ve done some harvesting. This phrase doesn’t follow us as easily because it will possibly go over our heads unless we lead a homestead life or have a green thumb.
That said, Christians won’t hand over this phrasing any time soon. So let’s bloom where God plants us with dissecting this particular phrase and the way we are able to practically incorporate it into our lives.
5 Ways to Really Bloom Where God Plants You
Although this list isn’t exhaustive, listed below are five ways to thrive when given a difficult hand.
1. Be in Scripture day by day.
I won’t prescribe at what time it’s best to do that. Many Christians recommend very first thing within the morning, but I like to recommend when your schedule allows. So long as you carve out time to spend with the Lord. During hard times, we are able to often struggle to listen to from God. We think he’s abandoned us. Reading the Bible allows us to get in contact with him and know he’ll navigate these periods with us.
2. Enjoy the little things.
I try to seek out 10 blessings every day—regardless of how difficult the day. Some days, I can rattle these off with ease. Others . . . it will possibly take a while. Sometimes, it’s something as small as a hot shower or stroking my very skittish cats. God works behind the scenes, and we frequently forget to note the blessings he has given us.
3. Make the Most of Your “Hand.”
I might be honest with you: I even have been dealt a very nasty hand for the past six years. For just a few months, here or there, things looked up. But many things have been a struggle. Compared with many family members (and they’ll agree), I’ve been given loads to handle. A number of “writing material.”
With that said, I’ve all the time vowed to do much with the little given to me, very like we learn within the parable of the abilities.
For example, let’s say, hypothetically, my first job out of school paid me lower than minimum wage and had me essentially doing the work of seven people. In this purely and totally hypothetical situation, I made a decision to do the perfect work I could do.
Because I did this, I made necessary connections for future jobs, received a glowing reference from this employer, and gained skills I utilized in the longer term.
4. Mine What Lessons You Can.
We often learn essentially the most during our most difficult periods of life. Try to see what God has taught you thru your current situation.
What you learn could also be helpful to others down the road. I even have countless examples in my very own life about how my testimony encouraged others who endured something similar.
5. Have Grace on Yourself.
Practice self-care, take Sabbaths, and permit yourself to have dips. As a really achievement-oriented person, you’ll be able to imagine the toll these previous couple of months took when jobs, book contracts, and connections with family members got yanked away from me. I felt like an absolute failure.
But God doesn’t love us for what we are able to achieve. If he can have grace on you, definitely you’ll be able to have some for yourself.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Rastan
This article is a component of our Christian Terms catalog, exploring words and phrases of Christian theology and history. Here are a few of our hottest articles covering Christian terms to assist your journey of information and faith:
The Full Armor of God
The Meaning of “Selah”
What Is Grace? Bible Definition and Christian Quotes
What is Discernment? Bible Meaning and Importance
What Is Prophecy? Bible Meaning and Examples
