Deeply Rooted to Survive the Storms

Sometimes it rains. And then sometimes you get more rain. And when it gets really bad, you get rain storms in which there is no visibility. The windshield wipers can hardly go fast enough. It can actually be pretty dangerous! 

But have you ever noticed the way a flower seems bowed down and drooped over after weathering a storm? In a way its a touching sight. After all, that cloudburst likely sent countless animals and people away, far sturdier creations than any flower scrambling for shelter. Yet, the flower stood there, firmly rooted, facing the full fury of the weather. Now, here it is after the storm, intact, leaning over but not broken, showing a strength that defies its delicate appearance. You may wonder, as you admire it, if it will come back strong and lift its pretty head up to the sky again. 

It is much the same with people. We face all kinds of storms. Economic hardships, depression, failing health, the loss of a loved one. Those upheavals plague all of us at one time or another. And sometimes we can no more avoid them than that flower can uproot itself and run for cover. Things can weaken us. 

But at times like that it is motivating to see individuals who may seem weak show surprising strength and endure those storms. How do they do it? One key is their deeply rooted faith. James wrote: "You know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure." James 1:3, TEV 

But faith in what? Or more importantly, in whom? We don't have to face any storm alone! We can endure with Jehovah's help and just like the flower after the storm, be able to lift our heads up from varying degrees of weakness and find the strength we need.

How true it is that the joy of Jehovah is our stronghold.