Stronger Than Fears

Trust and hope seem to be two words that I keep finding myself go back to during the course of this year.

On the other hand, fear and anxiety have also played a part as I have navigated these past seven months.

Maybe this is why Jeremiah 17:7-8 struck me the way it did when I read it last month and it keeps coming to mind.

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord.

For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit."

In addition to the beauty of the words and the mental picture of a tree with deep roots, unshakable and firm leading up to the strong branches with vibrant green leaves signifying the vitality in the midst of a great drought, the personal application one can find in these two verses is just as beautiful.

Because our hope and trust is in the Lord and we continually drink from the Living Water, we will be ready for the struggles of this life.

This takes effort on our part as we grow in relationship with Him.

It takes effort in the good times, because this is when we can truly sink our roots in Jesus and have the ability to hold on through the power of the Holy Spirit when difficult seasons arise.

I love the idea of still yielding fruit and not being anxious or fearful when the drought comes.

My desire is to be just as effective for Him during the dry spells. I know I do not need to be anxious or fearful because the knowledge that He is my trust and my hope is even stronger.