Same Faces, Different Names

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need." — Philippians 4:11–12
 
Are you convinced you'd finally be happy if you could just get out of where you are?
 
I was speaking to a group of pastors recently, and during the question-and-answer time, one young man got honest with me. He said, "I don't like where I'm serving. I'm unhappy with how we do things, and I'm praying God will move me to another church."
 
I told him something I've learned over a lot of years: God will never make you happy somewhere else until you get happy right where you are.
 
I knew exactly how he felt, because I used to feel the same way. Everywhere I served, there always seemed to be somebody who was the proverbial thorn in my flesh. When God opened a door to another church, I thought, "Good. I'll finally get away from that person." Guess what? There they were again. The names and faces were different, but there they were.
 
That works in business too. You don't like your boss, your coworkers, your paycheck, or your benefits package. So you're always looking for the next thing, and you're all wrapped up around the axle. Friend, the job may not be the problem. The problem may be what's going on inside of you.
 
Paul wrote about contentment from a prison cell. He had learned a secret that didn't depend on his surroundings. Jesus lived that way too. Was Jesus ever anxious? He had only three and a half years of public ministry, and yet He moved from peace to peace. He would even tell His disciples, "Let's get away and rest together."
 
God wants you to live a quiet life, without all the drama. He wants to do a work inside of you before He ever changes what's around you.
 
So ask Him to settle your heart right where you are today. Thank Him for the place He's planted you. You may be surprised how differently that same place looks once He's done that work in you.