Growing through Adversity
And we know that in
all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called
according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
The Lodgepole Pine trees covering large parts of Yellowstone
National Park offer a powerful lesson in adversity.
The cones of the
pine hang on the tree for years without falling to the ground and releasing
their seed. In fact, even when the cone does fall, it often remains tightly
closed.
So how have these
reluctant trees grown to blanket the park with forests?
They’ve grown
through adversity. When a forest fire rages, destroying all the trees in its
path, the intense heat actually causes the Lodgepole
Pine cones to burst open and finally release their seed. So out of devastation,
these unique pines are often the first trees to produce new growth.
God never promises
that we’ll escape adversity in life. But He does promise that He will hold you
in the midst of every storm – and that through your struggle He will bring
about something beautiful for His glory and your greatest good.
So whether you’re
facing the dark clouds of tragedy or the struggles of everyday life, trust
today that God loves you, He’s with you, and He can cultivate new life through
your adversity.
Prayer
Challenge:
Ask God to help you
trust in His plan for your life. Pray that you will stand strong through
adversity, with your eyes on Christ.
Questions for
Thought:
Can you think of
some lessons God’s taught you in the past through adversity?
What are some
struggles you’re facing today that you can entrust to God?