Weather Like a Palm Tree

Danger, plot twists, and reversals, we love them in movies and books. It’s what keeps us turning the pages and reading that extra chapter, even though we should have turned off the light and gone to bed an hour ago. They’re what glues our eyes to the movie screen and spikes our adrenaline.What’s a book without tension? I want the heroine’s problems to be overwhelming. How will she survive? How will she pull through? But, do I want to trade places with the heroine? – NO WAY! I’m perfectly fine with a peaceful, stress-free life. Do I have it? - Nope. Jesus said, “In this life you will have trouble.” Not may or might. We will have trouble. So how then, when problems arise, do we keep them from shaking us to our very core?Troubles, problems, trials. We can’t stop them. We can’t run from them. We can’t ignore them. It’s not fun facing them, but when we do, we need to remember to be like the palm tree.Whereas the oak is known as mighty, it relies on its own strength to face fierce winds and high water. Yet, when a hurricane comes the oak can be completely uprooted or its branches broken. However, the palm tree takes a different approach. It remains flexible. It bends but doesn’t break. It folds its palms so that the wind passes through and doesn’t tear it apart. The palm also puts down roots deep and wide for more ground to hold onto for a sturdier base.Let’s look at the second part of what Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble,” But then he says, “But take heart, I have overcome the world.”As the palm bends, we too need to bend our knee. As the palm folds its leaves, we too need to fold our hands, take heart, and cry out to the One who has overcome the world. When life’s hurricanes sweep through our lives, don’t be a mighty oak and rely on your own strength. Don’t be overwhelmed and sink into despair. Be like the palm tree and draw down deep from the true source of our strength, God Almighty.Psalm 92:12 “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree.”Help me look good for a publisher by subscribing to my e-newsletter. (They look at my numbers.) Sign up for my e-newsletter and don't miss a post: https://lorridudley.com/mc4wp-form-preview/