The Tree Life Chose MeSample

Day 4: Stand Tall through Every Season
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. Colossians 2:7

I live in Canada and here the winters can be very harsh. Temperatures drop to negative, snow falls, and everything seems frozen and lifeless during the winter months, but when I look outside, I will still see the trees standing firm. Their leaves may have fallen, their branches may look tired, but they remain rooted and firm. And when the next season comes, they turn green again. That is a powerful picture of what our faith should look like. As believers, we are not promised a life without storms. In fact, we are told to expect trials and tough seasons. In John 16:33, Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." We are called to stand firm not in our own strength, but by being deeply rooted in God’s Word. Just like the tree that does not collapse when winter hits, we should not fall apart when life gets difficult.

We see in the story from the Bible when Job lost everything: his health, wealth, and family. He felt stripped, broken, and alone, but he never let go of his faith in God. Though his season was painful, his roots stayed anchored in God’s truth. “And in time, God restored him, blessing him even more than before” (Job 42:10). There will be times when we feel like we have lost all our "leaves" as in our joy, motivation, peace and even our purpose, but as long as our roots are strong in God, we will not be shaken. And when the season comes, we will bloom again for his glory. Do not let your current storm define your future. Stand firm and tall like a tree. We pray to a God of all seasons. The same God who carries you through the winter will cause you to flourish in spring.

Reflection: When life feels cold and lifeless, like a long harsh winter, am I staying rooted in God's Word, trusting that He will bring new life in the right season?

Prayer: Lord, help me to stand firm when life gets tough. Even when I am going through harsh seasons of life, help me remember that You are the God of all seasons and in You, I will bloom again. Amen.