Precious Pearls
Finding beauty in trials!
May 21, 2023
“Roots before Struggles Rise”
“Roots” Unspoken
My house rests about half way up a hill. On stormy days, I can see the tops of trees swinging violently as though they are on the brink of being uprooted. I often gaze out the windows to inspect the security of the trees. Will they fall? How close are they to my house? Upon closer examination, it is evident that the tree tops present a fractional story of the trees’ response to the storm. The sturdy trunks are stolidly anchored in the ground as though even the harshest storm will have no impact them. Why do I see such a stark contrast between the base and the top? A simple answer is… roots. The roots of these decades-old giants grip the ground and plummet deep into the earth providing the trees with steadfastness–even in the fiercest storms.
When I observe storms and windy days, my mind wanders from tree roots to my spiritual roots. My mother faithfully brought me to church since I was two years old. Biblical training was embedded into my life through my mom, Sunday School teachers, pastors, and other godly people the Lord placed in my life. At nine years old, I accepted Christ as my Savior. This one choice was the most important decision I ever have made or will ever make! Colossians 2:6-7 tell us,
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord,
so walk in Him,
rooted and built up in Him and
established in the faith, as you have been taught,
abounding in it with thanksgiving.”
God was growing my roots in Him from the time I was a young girl. Although my mind and heart were not always focused on living for Him, He graciously kept me close to him. He used people and circumstances to teach me about the God He is. For almost 30 years, God was helping me build my roots because He knew that one day, a fierce storm would enter my life. This storm required me to be firmly rooted in Him.
That day came on May 27, 2017. My life completely changed in a second. Moments felt like an eternity.
When I knew what happened to me, I shrieked with horror,
“Help me! Help me! Help me!”
The most horrific storm of my life was upon me and would linger for years. As I struggled physically, emotionally, and spiritually, I knew God was by my side because of the roots He developed in me. Although at times, I felt like those treetops wildly whipping about aimlessly, my faith in God’s sovereignty kept me firmly rooted in Him.
In my darkest moments, I needed the truths of God’s Word to get me through. These truths nourished my spiritual roots daily. Ps. 119:11 says,
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”
Many times I needed to remind myself that God was with me and that I needed to trust Him. This is a sampling of verses that reminded me to keep my focus on the Lord and to find my strength in Him.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Psalm 61:1-2 Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psalm 18:1-2 I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!
My faith being rooted in God and His Word was the most important thing that sustained me through this massive storm! Listen to the song “Roots” by Unspoken. The words are so rich! I appreciate the second verse and chorus.
I live above the surface
I can’t see under the earth
But the fruit that I’ll be reaping
Starts its life beneath the dirt
So I’ll hang onto your promise
There will be a harvest
You are always faithful
You finish what You’ve started
I got roots, I got roots
And I’m standing on the truth
It’s You, it’s You
That I’m holding onto, holding onto
Deep down in the ground
Firmly planted safe and sound
And I can’t be moved
In You, I got roots
Your word is a firm foundation
Everyday is a transformation
Standing on the truth of salvation
And I won’t be shaken
I got roots, I got roots
And I’m standing on the truth
It’s You, it’s You
That I’m holding onto
Deep down in the ground
Firmly planted safe and sound
And I can’t be moved
In You
I got roots, I got roots
And I’m standing on the truth
It’s You, it’s You
That I’m holding onto, holding onto
Deep down in the ground
Firmly planted safe and sound
And I can’t be moved
In You, I got roots
When I listen to this, I am reminded of how God used the roots He developed in me to bring me through this turbulent trial.
Precious Pearls 
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