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A nasty storm had blown through. Lots of thunder and lightning. Buckets of wetness. The Twitter feed from our local fire department alerted us to the dangers of high winds and encouraged the community to hunker down at home until the storm passed.
The next morning our grass was vibrant green from the watering, but the yard was a disaster. Leaves and sticks were a blanket. I grabbed coffee and caught up on a few tweets that the fire department had sent out following the storm.
One of the tweeted photo-updates gave me chills. In the middle of a neighborhood just a few miles away, a tree had been uprooted by the strong winds and it annihilated a car. Crushed it to scrap metal. I read the updates and thanked God that no lives were lost. The car was parked on the side of a street and contained no passengers when the winds blew hard and the tree did its damage.
Were the roots of the tree too flimsy?
Were they too shallow?
Were they rotten or weak?
I wondered.
The winds of that storm had a jolting impact. They ripped the roots right from the ground that held them. I can’t help but see the parallel in life and I wonder . . .
How deep are my roots?
How healthy are they?
How strong?
How committed?
Roots are vital. They store nourishment and increase stability. They’re essential for me to stand strong.
I pour a fresh mug of motivation and consider the state of my heart. The state of my roots. Because Lord knows that storms come, and winds blow. In fact, I’m writing from the eye of a hurricane of sorts. Many of my friends and loved ones are smack dab in the center of one as well. Some are being uprooted and some are standing strong.
What makes the difference?
As I contemplate, I lean back and furrow my brow, fully aware of my shallow tendencies. I like life to be comfortable. Seriously. I don’t even like camping. Too much ick and sweat. Too many bugs and noises that freak me out in the dark. And no air conditioning! Who would choose that? Anyhoo…
I’ve learned I have to be careful when it comes to car-crushing times of faith because my natural desires for comfort can far too easily lead me to resist and resent the winds instead of running with them. Just enough showers to water the flowers, please, God!
Storms are a reality for all of us.
Jesus told us we would have them and that we do not need to be uprooted by them because He is the source of peace and overcoming that we need (John 16:33).
I don’t want to be a woman of shallow faith.
I want to be a woman of strong, stable, deeply rooted faith.
So, I ask myself: how can I position my faith-roots to grow?
I mull it over and open up the truth manual…
I see that Paul wrote this to the early church, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6-7)
And it occurs to me that the secret to having roots that are deep and strong is found in that little phrase above that repeats itself twice in those verses: IN HIM.
Yes. In Christ.
In Christ alone my depth will grow. Jesus promises I can do anything according to the will of the Father and get through anything when I stick with Him (John 15:1-17). My roots grow in that secret place of abiding with Jesus.
In Christ alone I’m able to weather the fiercest of winds and the scariest of storms.
You are too. You’ve got this, friend… whatever you’re going through… because He’s got you.
I love the depth and resilience David displays in Psalm 138. He’d gone through some intense difficulties yet chose to be grateful. “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.” (Psalm 138:7)
Women of deeply rooted faith give thanks to God not just after their storms pass, but in the midst of the downpour.
So, let’s make it a point to “walk in Him” today.
To yield our little life-branches to the Vine. To seek nourishment, strength, and leading from Jesus. To recognize that this world is not our home and our storms do not have the power to uproot us when we cling to God, our Strength.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the reminder that the strength I need is found in You. Please grow my faith so that I can stand strong in the windiest of struggles.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
FOR YOUR REFLECTION AND RESPONSE
On a scale of 1-10, how deep are your roots right now? How deep would you like them to be? What would it take to get you from where you are to where you’d like to be?
Grab your journal and write about it. Not a journal girl? Leave a comment or prayer response on the wall of my blog.
Digging deep with you, friend.
Have a beautiful, grace-filled day!
GWEN
PS. There are so many voices vying for your attention. I get it. It’s hard to shut the world down. The Graceologie with Gwen Smith podcast episodes will help you move from distracted to directed.
Directed to hope. Directed to truth. Directed to clarity. Directed to grace. Directed to Jesus. Click here to listen now.
Comments 25
Your statement, “My roots grow in that secret place of abiding with Jesus,” really hit me. I think that is the key that I need to focus on each morning in my quiet time. I want to meet Jesus and the Holy Spirit in that secret place as I study the Word and learn to abide in Him and remain in Him. Thanks for your insight!
Thank you Gwen! I always thought I had deep roots in Christ but lately, I feel as though forces beyond my control are chopping away the ground that holds my roots firm. I feel as though these forces are trying to tear apart the foundations of my faith. Thank you for this blog and the graceologie podcast that helps to keep me grounded in my faith.
Bless you sisters ✝️ Ephesians 3:16-21, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
http://www.peacewithgod.net
I feel like my roots are deeply rooted in Christ!
He is literally my closest friend, and I am nothing without Him.
After being married for over 20 yrs., five years ago we divorced. My daughter and I were abandoned for 6 months by my husband/best friend, her father, and he was also our pastor so our lives were completely turned upside down! I fell into a pit of depression only going to work and back home for 4 years ashamed to tell anyone that I didn’t know where he was and that we were separated. As a result our daughter made some pretty bad decisions after being so traumatized that her good, godly parents were having all this private drama. There are some days when I still cry and become fearful of being alone, but overall I find confidence in CHRIST.
Thank you for today word. I have faith, I believe, but I don’t really pray or read .. I will now
My roots are shallow and made of tissue paper, I need to hold on to the promised of God, He is the foundation that our country was built on. Thank you for this amazing and truly life-changing ministry.
My husband was recently diagnosed with Huntingtons Disease a degenerative neurological condition that is fatal. It has rocked our world but I realize I have the choice every day to put my faith in God or let it destroy my joy. I also know people watch to see how I respond. It has definitely increased my faith and I know that although I don’t understand why – God does have a plan. Your words always seem to touch me in my situation. Thanks so much.
You know, I fail everyday. I find when I’m anxious or scared, I will blast my Christian music. Music talks to me and sets me straight. It’ll fill my soul and I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. It’s the enemy that tries to steal my soul and happiness.
I feel like a five, everyday I pray for certain things not to happen because I don’t know how deep they are, but somehow things happen and I get through. Thank you for this
Love your devotion they always are right on time . Going through some heavy storms with my children. My youngest needs lots of prayers his wife has left him of 8 years and told some things that aren’t true . He can’t see his 4 daughters or even talk with them . She has also already moved another man in the house even though they have only been separated a few months a convicted felon who just got out of jail from serving 21 years in prison. My son is homeless and left without nothing not even transportation just a suitcase of clothes. My daughter is fighting depression and a eating disorder. My oldest hasn’t spoken to me in 5 years because he’s mad at my husband. My heart is breaking for them all please pray!
My faith is growing and I give thanks to you. I start each day with your devotional
and listen to your podcast. Such a blessing!
Love this text, “How deep are the roots of my faith?” They are fragile at the moment. But the roots of God”s Word are piercing my very being!! Thank you for penning this!!!
I made a big step recently. I have issues with my legs and anxiety.
I went to a day retreat. I was able to relax and enjoy the retreat. I am glad I went to the retreat. It was nice to be invited. It was a good day.
Going through a depression….not feeling like God hears me.
Author
Sorry to hear this, CJ. Depression has a way of amplifying doubt. Truth is you are loved, seen and adored by Jesus.
Praying for you now, friend.
Gwen
CJ, I just said a prayer to God for you that He would let you feel his comfort in this dark time of yours.
God is always with us..I hope you feel his presence soon!
Need prayer!! Going thru some heavy spiritual warfare
Rebecca, I am praying for God to give you His power and strength through this spiritual warfare you are experiencing.
My pastor always suggests to quote scripture to Satan when we feel evil knocking on our door.
I hope this helps you!
Even though there are struggles, the Lord has my back. When I trust it means he has the perfect will for my life. I trust him and everything is fine!
Gwen, thank you friend for your commitment to Christ and women as we travel life, storms and all. Your words encourage and help grow my faith.
I love you. Thank you for your ministry.
I am definitely up there at 10. I pray everyday and throughout the day. Yesterday I found myself praying for people I don’t know, while eavesdropping on their conversation on the cellphone. I’m praying for my son to complete his schooling in airplane maintenance. I pray for all my children and grandchildren, just he’s my top one. Praying everyone have a blessed and safe day.
Through the storm He has never left me. Jesus has held me, dried my tears and been my comfort and protection. My scale is 8 but needs to be 10 as so many are pursuing me to have a voice. I have always been a very private person and to go public is challenging even though the build up of pressure is becoming easier.
I can do it, I know I can.
An encouraging message, Gwen, directly from God through you to me. I pray that I remember…”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. I pray to be more rooted and grounded in him. This morning I ask for prayer for a dear friend, a sister-in-Christ. I will not mention her name as God knows. She lost her husband of 50 years just about about 18 months ago. Her son found out a month ago, he has cancer and is being treated for it. He has a wife and 3 daughters. My dear sister’s daughter has mental illness, a diagnosis of bipolar years ago, she has never been married but use to hold a job. Both my friend’s “children” 40’s. Today, my friend is going to court to see if she can get a legal order to have her daughter fed as she is refusing to eat anything and is not doing well at all. Legally, the hospital/home where she is cannot force feed her. My dear sister needs our prayers. She loves the God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with all her heart and knows and loves His Word, too. Please pray for her this day….and as the Holy Spirit may lead others to pray this day and in the days to follow. Thank you and Praise our God who is able to do abundantly more than we can ask or imagine. Lord, have mercy. Amen.
Gwen: This devotion spoke to me; this is a subject I’ve been working on, in my own life.
My inspiration is Apostle Paul. In Ephesians 3:17-19, while he is a prisoner (sounds like this season, of home isolation), he talks to us about the “roots going down deep into the soil of God’s love…” He talks of being so completely filled with God’s love and grace, that we will never really know how great and vast it is, but, just become open to being totally filled with Him. It is awesome to think about it! That, for me is the goal!
I love your words of encouragement. I ask that you please pray for me to be deeply rooted as I struggle through some anxiety issues. I don’t understand why I haven’t had a breakthrough as I pray and read the Word and worship Him. I will continue to strive to be strong and fight this giant because I want his sword. Thank you again.