You may have heard the phrase “bloom where God plants you,” but we’re never told how exactly one does this. How can you bloom where God plants you, and how can we approach this from a Scripture perspective?
Is this phrase even biblical? Let’s discuss.
For those unfamiliar with planting metaphors, the phrase essentially means, “Do the best with the circumstances God has given you.”
Christians are all-too-familiar with life’s differing seasons. Sometimes, we experience highs such as 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 choose to thrive, no matter what life has handed us.
Not exactly. We see verses such as those featured in Psalms 1 that talk about trees being watered by the word of the Lord.
We frequently see Jesus refer to himself as a vine, and we are the branches. We can do nothing apart from him. So, no matter where we find ourselves on the "said" branch, we cannot thrive apart from God.
The closest we get to this phrasing comes from 1 Corinthians 7. Toward the end of this passage, we see Paul encouraging people to stay where God calls them. To thrive under the circumstances in which they are placed.
I also think of examples such as Joseph in Egypt. Enslaved and later thrown into prison, he could’ve chosen not to 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 do not bloom where they are planted. So, the phrase may not hold complete biblical weight.
But let’s say for argument’s sake that we can glean some theological merit from “Bloom where God plants you.” How do we even begin to unpack it?
Unfortunately, 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 first downside.
1. It’s become a cliche.
We’ve heard it so often that it has lost its intended meaning. We may know it’s best to make the most of 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 may have been when the phrasing first occurred.
2. It’s become a copout.
People never love to see loved ones endure suffering. Every part of us wants to put an end to a trial. Seeing as we can’t, though, we often resort to platitudes. Although our hearts may be in the right place, patting someone on the shoulder and essentially telling them to weather the storm does little to help with their circumstances. It shows a lack of empathy when we should couple this phrase with action.
Not to mention, this phrase only sometimes applies to some circumstances. Sometimes, when thrown into the trenches, we can “grin and bear it” and try our best, and we may end up on the worse side. Being told this phrase during times like that can feel like a slap in the face. As if we didn’t have enough faith or didn’t earn good enough treatment.
3. It’s become outdated.
Although Jesus used a lot of farming and planting metaphors, those in his day would’ve been accustomed to their culture revolving around an agrarian society. If most people worked, they would’ve done some harvesting. This phrase doesn’t stick with us as easily because it can go over our heads unless we lead a homestead life or have a green thumb.
That said, Christians won’t give up this phrasing any time soon. So let’s bloom where God plants us with dissecting this particular phrase and how we can practically incorporate it into our lives.
Although this list isn’t exhaustive, here are five ways to thrive when given a difficult hand.
1. Be in Scripture daily.
I won’t prescribe at what time you should do this. Many Christians recommend first thing in the morning, but I recommend when your schedule allows. So long as you carve out time to spend with the Lord. During hard times, we can often struggle to hear from God. We think he’s abandoned us. Reading the Bible allows us to get in touch with him and know he will navigate these periods with us.
2. Enjoy the little things.
I try to find 10 blessings each day—no matter how difficult the day. Some days, I can rattle these off with ease. Others . . . it can take some time. Sometimes, it’s something as small as a hot shower or stroking my very skittish cats. God works behind the scenes, and we often forget to notice the blessings he has given us.
3. Make the Most of Your “Hand.”
I will be honest with you: I have been dealt a really nasty hand for the past six years. For a few months, here or there, things looked up. But many things have been a struggle. Compared with many loved ones (and they will agree), I’ve been given a lot to handle. A lot of “writing material.”
With that said, I’ve always vowed to do much with the little given to me, much like we learn in the parable of the talents.
For example, let’s say, hypothetically, my first job out of college paid me less than minimum wage and had me essentially doing the work of seven people. In this purely and totally hypothetical situation, I decided to do the best work I could do.
Because I did this, I made important connections for future jobs, received a glowing reference from this employer, and gained skills I used in the future.
4. Mine What Lessons You Can.
We often learn the most during our most difficult periods of life. Try to see what God has taught you through your current situation.
What you learn may be helpful to others down the road. I have countless examples in my own life about how my testimony encouraged others who endured something similar.
5. Have Grace on Yourself.
Practice self-care, take Sabbaths, and allow yourself to have dips. As a very achievement-oriented person, you can imagine the toll these last few months took when jobs, book contracts, and connections with loved ones got yanked away from me. I felt like an absolute failure.
But God does not love us for what we can achieve. If he can have grace on you, certainly you can have some for yourself.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Rastan
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