I walked along the river’s edge. Moss-laden boulders jutted out from the rich, fertile soil. Patches of snow still refused to melt beneath their shadows, sheltered from the winter sun. Just ahead, a large tree was thriving along the river’s edge. It clung to the soil of the bank, but as I got closer, I realized many of its massive roots extended into the river itself. Soil had washed away over the years, but it still clung to its source of life — the river.
Is it possible to be thriving when life is hard?
Evidence of past storms spoke of the tree’s life — a few broken branches, a hollowed-out, empty space on its north-facing side, and a slight lean to the left toward the river.
And yet the tree lived. Thriving against all odds.
The tree thrived because its roots dug deep into the river, which was alive with all the tree needed to survive the storms, droughts, and fiery heatwaves that tried to take it down.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 reads, “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”
Like the tree, I have come to rely upon the river of Living Water that runs deep in my soul, washing over and through the broken places.
I stay planted by the river’s edge with intention — not by happenstance. And with that intention comes thriving in my own life.
When the winter seasons of my soul come and fierce storm winds blow, I make sure I plant myself right at the feet of Jesus, pressing into Him, standing on and feasting on His Word — my source of life, my root-fertilizer so that my roots of faith grow deep and are not ripped away in the power of the harsh winds of adversity.
The Lord is the anchor of my soul. I am rooted in Him
When trials come — and they surely will — I am anchored by the river’s edge to the One who holds my tomorrows. Won’t you join me there? Imagine your life as a giant tree planted by the river — the river of God and learn that you, too, can thrive even in the difficult places because of His abiding presence.
The Lord upholds us, preserves us, and sustains us especially in the difficult places.
Won’t you tap into His life-source today? There is none like Him.
Selah
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Thank you so much for stopping by. I would love for you to share what’s on your heart in the comments below. Scroll a little farther down, and you’ll see where you can leave your comments. Together, we can find the nearness of God in our darkest moments.
Sweet blessings to you,
