We’re in the middle of hurricane season in south Louisiana. In a really strong wind, I’ve seen towering water oaks toppled like sticks, due to their shallow root system. Sometimes, we don’t realize how deep our roots are, until a storm comes.
I had a major life altering storm four years ago. It threw me. My mom suffered a stroke, and two months later passed away. It wasn’t her death that was so surprising. Mama was 85 and had health problems. What shocked me, rocked me and tossed me around in hurricane strength winds, was how lost I felt after she was gone. Like those large water oaks, I was toppled.
But I didn’t break. As the storm raged, my roots dug deeper into Jesus Christ, and He held me firm. Although it took some time, I was finally able to grab those roots when I needed them most. I dug my fingers into the depths of the tangled root ball, and held on for dear life.
Be firmly rooted.
A strong root system nourishes the plant. Christ nourishes me. During that storm, I drank in His words to soothe my aching heart. I filled myself with Him. I devoured His word. The roots I have in Him provided strength for the hurricane force emotions I had.
Plants are anchored by a strong root system. I was anchored in Christ. My roots dug deeper and wrapped around Him while the storm whipped around me. I was battered by those winds of grief, but I was never uprooted. His roots anchored me.
Be firmly rooted.
We will have storms in our lives. Jesus said in John 16:33 that we will have tribulation and trouble in this world. Be prepared for it. Paul warned the church at Thessalonica that troubles would come, and we are destined for them (1 Thessalonians 3:3-4).
Be. Firmly. Rooted.
Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7 (NLT)
Do your circumstances feel like a hurricane? Are the Category 4 winds knocking you about? Maybe, like me, you’ve suffered the loss of a loved one. Maybe you’re grieving the death of your marriage. Perhaps you’ve lost your job and the financial burdens are piling up.
Be. Firmly. Rooted.
Dig your roots deep into Christ. Siphon your nourishment from Him. Anchor yourself in His word. Though you may be whipped around and tossed about, though you may bend, you will not break. Your faith will grow strong.
Here’s what I’ve seen after a hurricane: In a group of tall trees, the storm blew some of them over. But they weren’t uprooted and they didn’t fall to the ground. They fell into the trees next to them. They were supported by the other trees. As we strengthen ourselves in Jesus, and build the foundation of our lives on Him, we can encourage and support others going through a storm. We can nurture them as their roots grow deeper in Christ.
Let’s be firmly rooted in Christ!
Until next week,
Joining these lovely writers. Be sure to visit their pages, you’ll be encouraged!
Suzie Eller, Live Free Thursday
Kelly at Purposeful Faith
Holly at Testimony Tuesday
Holley at Coffee for Your Heart
Jennifer at Tell His Story
Bonnie at Faith Barista
Great blog post, Ellen. I love your analogy to trees in a hurricane. Yes, we are stronger together and in tough times, digging deeper into our relationship with Christ is what it takes to survive!
Visiting from #RaRaLinkup
Blessings!
Linda
Hi Linda, so glad you visited today! Yes, digging into a deeper knowledge of Christ will help us to not only survive, but thrive with the abundant life He promised! Thank you for your encouragement today!
Ellen, blessed to be your neighbor over at Holly’s place today. Yes, let’s be firmly rooted in Christ. During those hurricane force winds in my life, it is during those times that I have felt the most rooted and connected to God as God has placed amazing people in my life to support me just like you said the trees support each other. Great post!
Thank you Tara! So glad you stopped by. Yes, He amazes me when He brings people into my life – at just the right time, when I need them most. I love how He works like that 🙂
Beautiful post Ellen. Thanks for linking it up for the #RaRaLinkup.
Thanks much for visiting Katie!
Oh Ellen, this post was just for me, friend. It brings tears to my eyes thinking about my husband losing his mom last weekend. I’m going to send this link to him and share on Twitter!
Be.Firmly.Rooted. Such an important message. This week I’ve been thinking about thriving (wrote about it) and being rooted has been on my mind. So glad I read this today!
Oh sweet friend, how it warms my heart that these words ministered to you! I love you!
This is such great encouragement Ellen! I feel like during these times, with the world as it is, it’s so important to just remember where our stability comes from and to let as many people as we can know it. So good!! Thank you 🙂 Visiting from LiveFree Thursday!
Hey Rachel! Thanks for visiting! And you are right – with the world as it is, we need to proclaim Christ, so others can #LiveFree!
This is so true. There’s no one like Jesus to cling to in a storm. I’m so sorry about your Mom. That’s a difficult storm. Take care I’ll pray for you. You have a wise heart.
It WAS a difficult storm Donna, but God is so-o-o-o good. He’s taught me so many things in the years since Mama’s death, that I wouldn’t have wanted to learn before. Thank you for your encouraging comments and your prayers! I appreciate you!