Preparation Of A Saint

Psalms 1:3

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Most things grow up, but a tree grows down before it grows up so the roots can grip themselves underneath the soil in order to feed the tree. A tree is not seasonal as some flowers and plants that die when the weather changes. A tree is being fed from under the surface. So when other stuff dies, the tree keeps on living. Likewise, when saints have a firm foundation, they can handle the changes. When the world commits suicide because of surface stuff, saints keep on living. Saints have a reservoir underneath the soil that keeps feeding and supplying during the hard times. Folk who stand strong during the storm have taken the time and effort to lay a firm foundation in their Christian life. Then when your storm comes, you will be able to handle it. Take time to grow some good roots.

It is just as easy to spot a tree with shallow roots. As a storm hits the tree, it falls over and the roots lay bare. When the storm comes to the tree with long roots, the tree will bend and then bounce back. I’ve seen folk who were in a storm ten years ago and hadn’t made it back yet. They’re still leaning and bending. They say, “Momma died and that shook me.” Other mothers have died. “I lost my job.” Folk lose jobs everyday. It’s not so much your problem that messes you up; it’s how you handle the problem. Your attitude affects your altitude. If you have a good attitude in the midst of your storm, God will lift you high above it.

The tree grows down to grow up and gains endurance each year. Last year a little wind would blow it over, but this year it takes a stronger wind. Before long, a hurricane won’t even bring it down. The stuff that used to get you down doesn’t even shake you now. You’ve got to have bouncing back endurance.