One of the things I love about the community of Owasso is the great passion for sports. It really is a lot of fun to watch our entire city rally around the Rams at every level. Whether it is a future Owasso Ram or a starting varsity athlete, Ram pride continues to grow in this city and I just love it.

One of the great benefits of being in a sports town is the blessing of well-trained coaches. Do you remember going to a practice huddling up together listening to a pre-practice “work hard” speech followed by the statement, “Ok, it’s time to stretch”.

It seems like every good coach, past and present, read the same book containing pre-game motivational talks followed by grueling stretches just to get ready for practice.

The truth is that those pre-practice talks were helpful for focus and those stretches made sure that everyone was flexible.

In both athletics and in life, the discipline of flexibility is one of the keys to success.

By definition, flexibility describes the ability to bend without breaking. A person who is flexible makes the choice to adapt to situations regardless of the circumstances. The strength of flexibility means that you will be willing to yield or be able to make changes when necessary.

In Philippians 4:11-12, the Apostle Paul said…   

 Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

In this letter to the Philippian Christians, Paul describes the ups and downs of life. He reminded these believers that things would not always go their way. He learned how to be flexible.

Flexibility was not only a lesson for the Philippians, but their lesson applies to us Owassoans as well.

Do you ever feel like you are on a roller coaster in your life? One day is up and the next day is down. Do you ever feel like you are struggling to be flexible when tough times come? The key to getting off the emotional roller coaster of circumstances is learning to adapt regardless of the circumstance. 

The truth is, sometimes we expect too much from situations, things, and even people.

Have you ever thought…

If I get that job I will finally have arrived. 

If I date that person I will finally be with the person of my dreams. 

If I get that raise I will finally have what I want. 

What happens?  Most of the time, when we get what we want, it is just not as rosy as we thought.

What happens next?

Most of the time we get back on the roller coaster and start hoping that the next thing will make us happy.

God’s word challenges us to stop doing that. Paul said, “I stopped looking toward my income, my experiences, my circumstances and even the people around me to make me happy.  When I did, I discovered that I could be content in every and all circumstances.”

This month, as we work on the discipline of flexibility, choose to limit your expectations for circumstantial things to bring you happiness. When difficult circumstances come and your expectations are not met, flexibility is possible because God is teaching you to be content no matter how difficult the circumstance you might be facing today.