Growing Deep Roots

This post was originally published on October 1, 2015

"'But blessed are those who trust in the LORD

and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.

They are like trees planted along a riverbank,

with roots that reach deep into the water.

Such trees are not bothered by the heat

or worried by long months of drought.

Their leaves stay green,

and they never stop producing fruit.'"

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT

Who doesn't want deep roots so we don't fall apart when facing hard times?  We all do, but how do we cultivate such an advantage?  Here's the answer as God revealed to the prophet Jeremiah.

Trust in God.  It's stamped on our money.  The phrase, "In God We Trust" first appeared on the two-cent coin in 1864 in response to an Act of Congress, followed by the passage of the Coinage Act in 1873 which opened up the way for all coins to bear such a proclamation.  This act was no mindless formality but an intentional attempt to acknowledge God as a nation in response to several letters from citizens across the land during the Civil War.  One such letter stated, in part, that "No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense."  And another claimed that "From my hearth I have felt our national shame in disowning God as not the least of our present national disasters." *  Our leaders at the time recognized the importance of trusting in God.

When I do the same, realizing He is the one Source of strength, power, wisdom, protection, and everything, I'm placing all my weight on Him, resting in His provision and shelter (Psalm 91).  When I think of Him as only one of many supplies, choosing to rely on my own wherewithal or that of others, I am failing to fully trust in God.  Either I place all my eggs in His basket, or I keep my options open in case another offer comes along.  The first shows that I believe He is able to satisfy every need and all my longings, while the second reveals my doubt in His power.

If I want roots that grow deeply, I must fully and wholly trust in God alone.

Hope in God.  It's easy to lose hope in such a dark world in which we reside.  I can become discouraged when trouble comes my way, especially when it seems there is no let up, as if it's my lot in life to suffer.  When enduring such difficulty, I can begin to wonder why I'm here, what is the point of life, what's my purpose.  Then I remember Who is in control of all things (Romans 13:1).

God is a good God (Psalm 136:1).  Everything He does is thoroughly and completely good.  Additionally, He is a God who is always at work (John 5:17).  He doesn't slack on the job, or forget someone's needs, letting them fall through the cracks.  Instead, He is constant and trustworthy.  Therefore, when I keep my eyes on Jesus, I have every hope in the world no matter my circumstances, because I know good things are happening.  The only missing factor, then, is my perception of His beneficial acts.  I often don't notice what He's up to because I'm looking in the wrong place.  It reminds me of a friend who just returned from a trip to New England.  She and her husband were disappointed to see the lack of fall colors but realized that if she looked closely, she could see a kaleidoscope of hues hidden beneath the green.  It only took an eye to see for her to enjoy the show.

If I want roots that grow deeply, I must hope in God, looking for all I believe He is doing.

Confidence in God.  It's easy to doubt.  It's not so much that I don't think God is up to the job, but that I think I will somehow mess things up, or that I see all that could go wrong, or that I've become cynical and jaded, preferring to brace myself for the worst instead of hoping for the best.  Then I waver in my faith, failing to walk forward in confidence with the strongly rooted certainty that God will come through no matter what.  I hold back, indecisive and vacillating between wanting to trust God and skepticism.

I notice a difference when I'm around someone who has confidence in God.  Their prayers are self-assured, as if they are simply endorsing what they believe God is at work doing.  They step out in faith often and speak with boldness, knowing that God is providing the words they need and fully backing them up.  In contrast, those with a lack of confidence result in prayers that are weak and reserved, as if they don't want to bother God or ask too much of Him.  They rarely if ever do anything beyond their own abilities or power and speak timidly, worried they may offend someone.  I'd rather live like the confident Christian.

If I want roots that grow deeply, I must place my confidence in God alone, not doubting in His might.

Life is difficult and I often face hardship.  If I want to learn to cope with the stresses of life, I would be wise to heed God's advice by resting fully in Him, expectantly looking for the work of His good hands, and walking forward with assurance that He's gone before me and has my back.  This is how to grow deep roots that will always reach His living waters.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to place all my weight on Him.

When do I hold back, afraid to let go of some semblance of control?

How do I doubt that God will come through?  

     

* http://www.treasury.gov/about/education/Pages/in-god-we-trust.aspx

Coping in the Pit of Depression

"You have put me in the lowest pit,

in the darkest depths.

Your wrath lies heavily on me;

you have overwhelmed me with all your waves.

You ave taken from me my closest friends

and have made me repulsive to them.

I am confined and cannot escape;

my eyes are dim with grief.

I call to you, LORD, every day;

I spread out my hands to you."

Psalm 88:9-12 NLT

How did David gain the reputation for being a man after God's own heart?  Was it because he lived a perfect, upright life?  Or due to the fact that he never wavered in his faith, never doubted God's presence?  Or for the reason that David stayed true to God, never falling into despair despite the hard times he faced?

The answer is: None of the above!  David was considered by God as someone who pursued His own nature and core spirit because David didn't fake it with God.  Even when He fell into the pit of depression, he coped by sharing his true feelings with the God he knew would love him no matter what.  He didn't worry that he'd lose God's favor or kindness by telling the truth of how he felt to a God who would never leave him nor forsake him.

I can follow David's lead and cope with depression in the same way he did.  Since God often holds David up as a model of how to live in relationship with Him through the ups and downs of life, I would be wise to do as this shepherd-boy-who-became-king did.

Honest.  I've always heard that honesty is the best policy, but if I try to live by that maxim it doesn't always work out so well for me.  If I tell people how I really feel, I risk hurting their feelings or damaging our relationship or influencing the way they think of me.  So, I've learned to keep the ugly feelings, the dark thoughts, the inappropriate questions to myself.

This is not how God wants me to approach Him.  Even though people respond negatively to my openness for a variety of reasons, God is not at all threatened by my efforts to tell Him like I see or, or share my honest feelings with Him.  He will not be hurt and lash out in retaliation.  He doesn't back away in repulsion.  He doesn't think less of me.  David understood this heart of God and His desire for open, authentic communication with Him so he didn't sugar-coat his words.  I can do the same.

When I'm feeling down, like there is no hope, I can follow David's lead and share my honest feelings with the God whose love I cannot lose.

Face it.  I have learned from a long line of experts how to sweep things under the rug and leave it there, pretending like it doesn't exist.  Sometimes it's conflict that gets cleared away.  Other times I stuff down feelings that make me uncomfortable so I don't have to look at it's full ugliness.  Then there are times when I act like I have no problem with how a situation is handled by someone close even though I'm deeply hurt.  Yep, I'm good at living under false pretenses.

David didn't live this way.  Instead, he openly examined his thoughts and feelings no matter how inappropriate or uncomfortable.  Perhaps because he was so secure in His Father's love, he was able to bring out the deep, dark feelings that lay hidden in the recesses of his heart and look them over thoroughly in the light.  He even welcomed God's inspection, asking Him to "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." (Psalm 139:23-24 NLT)

Since David knew how well He was known by God and, at the same time loved completely and enduringly, he felt safe in allowing God access to the most secret parts of him.  There was no fear in being found out but rather a deep desire for intimacy that drove David to stand emotionally naked before God.  It is vital that I truly comprehend God's durable love for me so that I can face my own dark places and allow God in there as well.

When I'm feeling down, like there is no hope, I can follow David's lead and face the feelings I tend to hide, allowing the God whose love I cannot lose access to my dark places.

Faithful.  My dog thinks the best of me.  He follows me around like a devoted friend, always keeping me company.  When I am agitated or upset, he doesn't run away but draws even closer in an attempt to comfort me.  If I walk ahead on the path, he cannot rest until he has caught up.  My dog is faithful to me, of this I can be sure.

In order to follow David's lead, I must cultivate this same spirit of faithfulness to God.  David never gave up crying out to God, casting all his cares upon the God he knew was there, even when he couldn't feel His presence.  David knew without a doubt that God would come through for him and always reminded himself of this truth, especially when he felt all alone, estranged from his Life-Source and like he had been kicked to the curb.  David didn't rest until he had shared his heart with God, and he never gave up on Him, knowing in his heart of hearts that God was his only hope.

When I'm feeling down, like there is no hope, I can follow David's lead and stay faithful to the God who will never leave me nor forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 28:20).

When depression hits, how do I cope as a follower of Jesus?  It's easy to feel guilty that I sunk down into the pit in the first place, but I can gain much hope by realizing David often experienced similar despair and feelings of hopelessness.  Since David was considered a man after God's own heart, I can look to his example of how to cope with depression.  I can be open and honest in communicating my feelings to God, facing the truth of what is hidden within, and staying faithful to God, not giving up on Him because of how I feel.  In these ways I can learn to deal with depressed feelings in a way that honors God and grows my relationship with Him.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can realize how secure I am in God's love.

When do I fall prey to my feelings and think God won't accept me if I tell Him the truth?

How am I failing to understand the depth of His love for me and depriving Him of the opportunity to love me right where I am?

   

Method for Coping

"Hezekiah received the letter 

from the messengers and read it.

Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD."

2 Kings 19:14

Things looked bad.  Israel had already fallen to this arrogant aggressor and now he had set his sights on Judah.  All of her fortified cities were already under siege so it was time for Sennacherib, king of Assyria, to turn toward Jerusalem, attempting to sway the people's hearts away from their faithful leader.  If they turned against their own king, surely Judah would fall just as Israel did.

Instead of panicking or seeking advice from his advisers or attempting to further appease his enemy, Hezekiah chose a wise method of coping of which I can take as an example for hard times in my own life.

Go.  There are many sources to which I can turn in times of trouble.  There are people rich with insight and common sense who are ready and willing to dispense great counsel.  I also have many shrewd resources at my disposal which can be consulted in times of need.  Furthermore, I'm never at a loss to discover new findings from the latest scientific research that can provide fresh understanding into the root of my struggles.

Still, Hezekiah demonstrated the wisest action that can be taken in difficult times: Going to the Lord.  God is the only true Counselor.  No other source boasts wisdom that can ever compare.  Even the most insightful research is no match for the understanding that comes from the One who made me.

When I place all my eggs in His basket, expecting to receive the best answers from Him, He is faithful and generous in dispensing true wisdom.  (James 1:5-8)  There is really no other action which makes sense for me to take in hard times.  Still, I often fail to take such a simple step as running to my Father for help.

Just as Hezekiah went to the Lord, so I can make Him the foundation of my coping strategy for difficult times.

Unguarded.  I'm used to putting up a front, showing others what I think I should convey instead of being honest with how I actually feel.  Therefore, when it comes to the One who knit me together and knows each word before it even leaves my tongue, I tend to take the same tack. (Psalm 139:1-6) I find myself saying what I think is the right answer instead of telling Him how I really feel.  I often give Him platitudes instead of brutal honesty.  It feels better to say what I think He wants to hear instead of speaking the unbridled truth which could hurt His feelings.  

Thankfully, God is big enough to take my harshest criticism, to hold up under my biggest doubts and to stand firm even when I feel like I'm sliding into a dark abyss.  He is my Father who cherishes my deepest, darkest thoughts.  Even though He already knows what is going on inside of me, He prefers that I willingly share such intimacy with Him.

Just as Hezekiah laid everything bare before the Lord, so I can live transparently as I go through times that break my heart and strain my faith.

Glorified.  When I'm at a loss of what to do, it's natural for me to explore every possible avenue, making a list of pros and cons and choosing the solution that seems best for my situation.  It's easy to come up with my own plan of action when times get tough.  Often, I think doing something is better than waiting around for my life to completely fall apart.  It feels good to take positive action, doing what I think will help to turn my life around.

Unfortunately, anything I do under my own steam will only serve to draw attention to myself or the brilliance of mankind.  If, however, I waited on the Lord, looking to Him as the only way out of a tight place, He will get all the glory.  When God is allowed to deal with an issue in the way only He can, others will see that He alone is God.  When I limit Him by giving Him only partial dominion over my situation, not only will I be robbed of witnessing His amazing hand at work, but I will steal His glory.

Just as Hezekiah desired all the world to know that the Lord alone is God, so I can let God do as only He can in order to make the most of His name in all the earth.

My methods for coping are often self-destructive and not at all healthy.  When Hezekiah was in deep trouble, facing a conquering marauder who had the gall to mock the living God, this godly king demonstrated a great way of handling stress.  He went directly to the Lord, laying everything bare before Him and desiring nothing more than for all of mankind to know the might of the One True God.  His way of coping gives me an excellent example of how to handle trouble in my own life.  In fact I would say there is no better technique for managing stress.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will remember to run to God when the going gets tough.

How do I leave God as my last resort when times get hard?

When do I hide my true feelings from the One who loves me perfectly?