Embrace the Storm

He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.

─ Jeremiah 17:8

In difficult seasons, it’s so important to trust the Lord, to embrace the challenges that come and to lean into Him. As we trust the Lord, we grow in strength with each new storm. We then have strength, not just for our own needs, but also for the needs of others.

Those who trust the Lord are compared to trees in Jeremiah 17. With each new season, trees bend and sway in the wind, almost as if they embraced the storms in an effort to learn how to withstand directional forces. Steady weather conditions trees to make changes in their growth to adjust so that normal weather occurrences for the area are not an issue.

For example, palm trees can bend almost horizontal to the ground during a storm, but they usually won’t break, but in fact are often stronger than they were after the storm passes. The more flexible the tree is, the more likelihood it can embrace the storm and endure to the next season.

God desires for us to be like trees planted near water, flourishing and flexible. When storms come, we are to dig deeper into our faith and stand firm, trusting that He will see us through.

Today’s One Thing

When storms come your way, what causes you to want to be inflexible? With God’s help, how are you able to bend and flex?

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