Developing Deep Roots

I have a friend who received life-changing insight—a revelation, if you will. I’d like to share it.

Not many excitedly quote verses like James 1:2,3: Count it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops endurance. (NIV) Personally, I don’t want to take those verses seriously. Although I understand physical exercise increases endurance—no pain, no gain—I don’t generally apply it to my emotional or spiritual well-being .

My friend looks at it differently since she had the revelation. She remembers her childhood as almost idyllic, free of stress. Reared as an only child by parents who were almost elderly and financially established, she went on to marry a loving husband and had three beautiful children. Although there were financial hurdles in the beginning, they did well financially, too. Yet, for no apparent reason, she struggled with depression as a young mother. Even after dramatic changes during a crisis when she met Jesus, she continued over the years—and continues today—to struggle with what she calls squirrely thinking.

Now retired, she and her husband spend part of each year in Arizona. On a balmy Arizona-winter day, they went to see what had been developed as a Bio Sphere not far from Tucson. You may recall this was an isolated area—complete with shields to separate and protect from the outside environment—that had functioned as an experiment with a controlled environment. Today it's part of the University of Arizona and a major tourist attraction.

While her husband walked the grounds, she decided to rest by watching videos about the experiment. Something caught her interest—she learned the trees in the protected environment did not grow large. After reaching a certain height, they simply fell over.

Scientists eventually concluded that lack of wind and other stress-inducing factors affected the tree’s development. They didn’t grow a strong base or foundation because it was not needed in their environment. They didn’t grow strong roots.

And my friend had an epiphany. Was her emotional vulnerability caused by lack of stress during her childhood? Did the idyllic world she experienced as a youth fail to prepare her for life? Did she lack a strong emotional root system because she hadn’t needed to develop strength? In the quietness of her heart she felt God said it was so.

This generates a number of philosophical questions. For my friend, however, it offered understanding of her past and practical wisdom for the present and future. She realized that during her difficulties as an adult she had been growing the deep roots she needed. Rather than lamenting her emotional weaknesses, she saw God was working with her and in her. She embraced difficulties as part of her development into a woman of faith and endurance.

I can’t escape the implications of her story. Her insight became my insight. My childhood may not have been idyllic, but God was with me. If it had been different, I would be different. I can’t shake the conviction that God not only made me, but He’s continued to shape me throughout my marriage and during the years of raising our family. He’s even shaping me today as I accept life as a Senior. He embraces me with my embarrassing imperfections because that’s the way I interact with the life He’s given me. I don’t understand much of what happens, but I do know in all things God works for good of those who love him, . . . (Rom. 8:28 KJV) It’s enough to keep me going. I might even be able to count it joy!