Are You Rooted and Grounded?
A few weeks ago, we experienced a microburst. A microburst has some similarities to a tornado, but it does not have the spinning funnel seen with tornados. It is said that a microburst is characterized by a “downdraft” (sinking air) in a thunderstorm which could prove more damaging than a tornado.
This weather phenomenon wreaked havoc the evening it occurred primarily in the middle of the state of Connecticut. It took me and other evening commuters several hours to get home, because of downed trees and power lines.
The amazing thing noted about many of the fallen trees was their appearance of strength and health. Some of the uprooted trees had large branches and huge trunks, yet, they were toppled. As I examined the affected trees two things became evident to me, they were hollow or had no significant root systems.
This caused me to stop and seriously think about the effect life’s challenges have on us. Are we able to stand firmly when faced with tough challenges, or are we hollow and limited on the inside, not fully rooted and grounded?
We are called to be people of substance, especially us women who are tasked with the responsibility of loving, caring and nurturing others. This means that we must be fully aware of who and whose we are, in order to be the women we are created to be. Look at the radiance of this buttercup, so perfect in its design.
Each of us, like the buttercup, is a masterpiece of divine creation with a purpose. The purpose of the buttercup is to add beauty and provide nectar. New buds open each day until the season is past. It is our responsibility to identify and fulfill the purpose for which we were created.
Our goal is to ensure we are not running on empty or from the standpoint of being hollow. In the state of being empty or hollow, we will are equipped to function in our given roles. Loving and nurturing ourselves, our spouses, our significant others, our children, or anyone else is not possible without the necessary inner resources.
We must first be cheerleaders of ourselves because we have to learn to love and care for ourselves before we can effectively and efficiently do the same for others. You may be broken, hollow, and feeling a sense of loss, but be encouraged that you are not alone. The challenges we face are here only for a moment and He is not going to lead us where He is unable to sustain us.
This was demonstrated with the Israelites as they left the slavery of Pharaoh’s kingdom, with Pharaoh’s army pursuing and them on one side and the Red Sea on the other. The sea heaped up on either side as the children of Israel walked through on dry ground. We serve a faithful God, but we have to be rooted and grounded in the word and believe in His promises that he will see us through our difficulties.
An excellent root system is essential to our stability, strength and endurance. We can only last for a short period with shallow roots. This tree was tall with leaves, branches and a trunk that appeared to be the specimen of good health, but the winds of life toppled it, because the roots were shallow. The same thing happens to us when we have no depth to our
faith. The roots of a tree/plant are necessary for the absorption of water and nutrients, anchor and support of the structure, storage for food and nutrients, and for reproduction. The same is true about our relationship with the One who sustains us. Daily reading of the word, praying, maintaining a relationship with Him as well as our faith family, allows us to absorb the water filled with spiritual nutrients.
This water refreshes us daily and enables us to relinquish our will to the One who is our Rock, our Firm Foundation and Chief Cornerstone. It is only as we depend on Him completely that our roots grow deeper and we are able to withstand the challenges in our path as we travel this journey called life!
Our daily connection with the Creator allows us to have enough storage of spiritual food and nutrients in our trunks to withstand the challenges in our lives; be it a lack of family support, financial, emotional and/or spiritual issues. He restores, nourishes and sustains; even when life challenges seem insurmountable.
We can therefore be confident that we will overcome because He continues to be faithful to us. He has kept all His promises to date and He will not fail us now! We can be in the storm and still know that God is with us.
Like the fruit trees and food yielding vines, we are expected to produce or bear fruit. In order for us produce we have to remain in Him, the True Vine and Him in us. That is the only way we can meet His expectation to produce the fruits that are important and everlasting.
If we are unable to remain in Him, we might look beautiful on the outside, while we are hollow, empty and decaying on the inside. Have you ever seen a tree looking radiant on the outside only to be ripped apart by a heavy wind, exposing a rotted mess on the inside?
Strive to be rooted and grounded. Here are eight principles that will help you in this process:
- Know that you are the caption of your ship
- Know what you believe, uphold your values and what is morally right for you
- Know that you are responsible for your own happiness
- Know when to say “no”
- View your mistakes/failures as new learning opportunities
- Give yourself permission to laugh and enjoy life
- Carve out time for yourself frequently
- Remember, things will always work out – one way or another!
Your thoughts and comments are welcome and be blessed always.
Bev
Image courtesy of phanlop88 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net