My daughter and I were traveling down a road near our home recently and were talking about how different everything looked because of the tornado that hit our town just over a year ago. While we were talking, we passed a tree that caught my attention and I stopped to take a photo of it. The tree had been damaged by the tornado and all that had remained was about eight feet of the trunk. What caught my attention was the new growth coming out of the top of the trunk. Small branches covered with green leaves were now growing out the top of the tree trunk.
I was grateful there weren’t any cars around and we were able to stop safely to get a photo. It might not mean that much to someone else, but to me, it was a beautiful symbol that life continues on. The storms may break us, but they cannot stop us from growing. Beloved, the hurt can be quite significant, but it is not fatal. The wound may have broken you, but that was only temporary. That storm that raged all around you may have been frightening, but it was not the end. It was only temporary. In fact, this life you are living is but a drop in the bucket of eternity.
I urge you to think eternally, my friend. Focus on what matters most. Know for sure where you will spend eternity. Salvation in Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. Do you know Him? Are you a follower of His? As I said, this life is temporary, and it is vital that you make certain where you will spend eternity! With an eternal mindset, it is easier to remember that the storms of life are temporary; they won’t last forever. It may be hard right now, my friend, but this too will pass. Perhaps, like this tree, you too will experience new growth after the storm has passed.
Sometimes storms clear some things away and make room for new growth. I remember being so fascinated by what I learned about redwood trees several years ago that I wrote a story about it. I learned that in order for new redwoods to grow, they actually need a forest fire. The forest fire serves two purposes. First it clears the forest floor making room for new growth. Secondly it takes a certain temperature to open the cones of the redwood tree allowing the seed to fall to the ground to sprout a new tree. The heat from the flames causes this to happen.
I was so amazed by this process. What at first glance seemed to have been destructive was in fact preparing the way for new growth. I remember thinking that only God could plan this! It reminds me of those stories that teach us how God does this very thing. I call them the “But God” moments. These are the moments when it seemed as if all has gone wrong, when it seems hopeless, but God steps in and changes everything. One of my favorite people in the Bible is Joseph in the Old Testament. He had one of those stories.
He didn’t understand it in the middle of the hard times, but later he could look back and say, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” Genesis 50:20. No matter how the enemy means it for your harm, believers can know that God is working in the midst of it. We serve a God who walks on water and calms the storm when it is time to do so. Wherever you are at the moment, know that you can trust Him to take care of you. Know that He is with you, and you do not walk alone. He not only goes with you, but He also goes before you.
Isaiah 41:10 is one of my favorite verses and I have clung to its truth many times in the last several years. “Do not fear; for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.” Knowing that He is with me, that He is in control helps me to keep putting one foot in front of the other as I keep pressing on. The storms may get rough, but He is with me and that gives me the courage I need to keep holding on. I’ll be honest with you, my friend. It isn’t always easy, but He is faithful.
Some of you precious praying sisters in Christ know exactly what I mean when I say that there is a burden weighing heavily on my heart that leaves me no choice but to daily walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). I must choose daily to give this concern/burden to Him, trusting Him to do what only He can do. It’s not easy to choose faith over fear, dear heart, but it is possible. How do I know? I know because He has been teaching me to do it for the last few years. He has taught me that it is possible with His help to walk by faith and not give in to fear/anxiety.
There are days when it gets more difficult, but He is faithful. Like the tree that refused to be destroyed by the tornado, He has held me and helped me to grow through the difficulties. Despite the intensity of the storms, He has helped me to not only keep going but also to keep growing. Beloved, He will do the same for you. Whatever you are going through, you can trust Him to bring you through. If you let Him, He will lead you through the storm and help something new to grow from it when the storm finally passes by.
Let your roots grow deep into the soil of His love (Ephesians 3:16-21) and stand firm on Truth. Get in His Word and let it be your anchor, dear heart. Hold tightly to Him in the midst of the storm and let Him work. Something will grow from what you are going through, and that something will be you. Hold on to Him and let Him work, beloved. Remember this storm is temporary. There are better things ahead. Keep your eyes fixed on Him and you are going to be okay. He will help you to stand. Commit your way to Him and trust Him to see you through!
Katrina Douglas
4/23/2024
