Today I am sharing about the strength of a tree. And not just any and every tree. Only trees that grow outdoors. You are probably asking, “As opposed to trees growing …indoors? Well, read on and find out about the strength of a tree. May you be encouraged by today’s words in this blog post regarding Your Everyday Life and why you are stronger than you think.
A Baby in Christ
I remember when I first accepted Christ. I was very dependent on those around me to hold me up and to help me walk, even stand. And so I remember being blown around by the wind. I wasn’t sure what to believe at times. My life had very few roots then, small at best. I needed to get rooted!
Ephesians 4:14-16 AMP
So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit].
The Mini Earth Experiment – The Unexpected Happened
Are you familiar with Biosphere 2? It is owned by the University of Arizona and was originally built by scientists to be like a mini-earth. It was built to learn about how the earth’s living systems actually work.
Something happened that was not expected. One of the most interesting and major discoveries from this project was what they learned from the importance of wind in a plant’s life. Who’d have thought!
Awesci – Science Every Day
In an article by Anupum Pant, in Awesci, he writes about this discovery regarding Biosphere 2:
They had trees growing faster than they would grow in the wild. Also, they found that these trees wouldn’t completely mature. Before they could, they would collapse. Later it was found that this was caused by the lack of wind in the biosphere. And it turns out, wind plays a major role in a tree’s life. The presence of wind makes a tree stronger. Thus it is able to mature and not fall down due to its own weight.
When plants and trees grow in the wild, the wind constantly keeps them moving. This causes stress in the wooden load-bearing structure of the tree. So, to compensate, the tree manages to grow something called the ‘reaction wood’ (or stress wood). This stress wood usually has a different structure (in terms of cellulose or lignin content and more) and is able to position the tree where it would get the best light or other optimum resources. This is the reason why trees are able to contort towards the best light and still survive loads in even awkward shapes. A contorted building like that would easily fall. The tree is able to grow in a more solid manner – thanks to the reaction wood.
Strength Comes From The Challenges
Chicks pecking through the egg; Butterflies pushing through the cocoon; Sea Turtles fighting through their shells and racing for the water. These are great challenges that some don’t make it through. But for the ones who do, great strength is gained to be able to survive life’s coming trials and challenges.
James 1:2-4 NIV
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
The Parallel!
Did you catch that? That is awesome!
Stress wood is able to position the tree for it to receive the best light and optimum resources.
And, the testing of our faith…our life, produces perseverance, “that we would not lack anything.“
So you feel the stress, the challenges, the trials that all come with feeling overwhelmed at times, right? I sure do. But do you see what James is saying? He is saying that those things in our life are like the wind to the tree. It creates stress in the wood (our everyday life). But that allows God to put us in the optimum position to receive the best light with optimum resources. Best light is the guidance of His word which is the lamp unto our feet. And optimum resources? Trusing God with His endless resources.
Defying The Odds
Many times we hear and sometimes see or even experience humans defying the odds that are greatly against them. Superhuman strength, thinking, speed and interventions. And in tragedy, finding the strength to rebuild and move on after enduring an impossible situation.
Ever gone through something and wondered how you were going to make it? Everything, every trial, every challenge, every experience has led up to that moment. Led up to that moment to give you the strength you didn’t know you had to get you through it.
Challenge of the Week
Stressed, overwhelmed, challenged, too many things to handle? Be of good cheer, my friend. You are being prepared for great accomplishments that you are not even aware of yet. Challenges that you wouldn’t otherwise be ready for if the wind wasn’t blowing. Let the wind blow, and so be it!
Encouragement to know that you were made to rise:
