Psalms 1:1-3 Blessed is the one…whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither- whatever they do prospers. 

Jeremiah 17:8 They will be like a tree planted by the water…

What makes a strong tree?

Not the sunshine or easy weather. The strong trees are not grouped in the thick forest and packed in with others. No, the strong trees are open to nature’s force. The strong trees face nature head on. The winds beat it and try to twist it. Storms bend it one way then another.  The tree almost breaks from the storm. Almost…but it straightens back upright as the storm goes away. What bad luck to be out in the storms of life…or is it a blessing? How cruel the storm is to beat upon the tree…or is it…love? 

We cannot grow without storms

The storms cause the soil around the tree to loosen. Cracks in the ground open up, exposing elements to nature. Deep wounds may appear, then in the calm, they heal. In the calm, the loosened roots push down deeper for a more excellent grip. The gaps and wounds heal and strengthen. The sun appears, and new growth bursts forth. The tree is growing both upward and downward deeper into the soil. 

Do you feel the storm in your life?

Are you bowed over by the wind and fierceness of life’s storm? Do you feel like it is hate or cruelty? It may be the love of the kind that brings growth, maturity. Resist the power of the storm, grow roots deeper, stand tall in the sunlight and grow in the knowledge of Christ and the Power of His might. 

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now, hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 

We are the trees of Thy planting,  O God, We are the trees of Thy wood.  

Now let the life-sap run, Clean through our every vein,

 Perfect what Thou hast begun, God of the sun and rain.

Thou who dost measure the weight of wind,  Fit us for stress and strain!

A. W. C.

Be a tree planted by the waters that grow strong in the storms. Your fruit will be sweet, and your choices will be productive. Let your lightnside grow through the storm of life.