I am always amazed how trees and plants that God has created will survive even though certain events in their life have caused their lives and growth to be difficult.
What can we learn from this?
When a vine slowly wrapped around this tree, it had to adapt. It could no longer grow straight, but it still grew and produced.
2 Cor. 12:3 "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak then I am strong."
These plants grew into glass containers. Trapped in situations of out their control but they continued to flourish.
Sometimes circumstances seem to overwhelm us; life as we have known it has changed and we cry out, "Father, I don't understand."
I Cor. 13:12 "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face. Now i know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
When there is a source of constant pain and problem in our lives...
2 Cor. 4:17 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
When our burden is so heavy and we feel alone...
Matt. 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
His grace is sufficient...then I am strong..I will know fully...eternal life...rest for my soul. What beautiful promises God has given us.
You can find more sites about our Lord at Spiritual Sundays
These are all so encouraging! Thank you, Brenda.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, such beautiful photos representing struggles and perseverance...I can almost feel the pain of the tree with the barbed wire. I love the tree leaning on the other one. I'm a visual person...you have brought Matt. 11:28-30 to life for me...thank you.
ReplyDeletePS I also checked out the blog you sent me. So enjoyed that. They had a post about taking their Bostons on a hike this fall...both dogs were exhausted...I had to carry Buster the other day. With him, it's hard to tell if he really is tired or if it's just him being moody. Thanks very much for the link!
What awesome photos and great message in this post! Wow.
ReplyDeletethis is a great read...and your pictures hit the message home. Thanks Brenda for your powerful encouragement.
ReplyDeleteWonderful examples of survival and even thriving in unusual and difficult situations. We can learn so much from God's creation. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Charlotte
You are right! His grace is sufficient. He is and will always be everything we need!:) My parents and grandparents live in Lebanon! Love TENNESSEE! Go Vols!
ReplyDeleteAmazing photographs. Love the reminder that we can grow in difficult circumstances. His grace has always been sufficient for me!
ReplyDeletePerfect scriptures! So many times over the last two years I have cried out to God to rescue me or at least change my assignment. It is the trial that has changed me, and I have had growth that could not have come otherwise. God always knows what he's doing!
ReplyDeleteWonderful illustrations of faith.
ReplyDeleteSo thankful for that grace being sufficient. I have a bougainvillea that I winter in our basement. It always amazes me how even in the dark most of the time, it still starts shooting limbs toward the window, looking for light wherever it can. Grace is always there for us too. I pray I always look for the light.
ReplyDeleteLove your pictures, Brenda. They illustrate your point so well!