#16: Bearing fruit in times of drought

No matter how healthy, wealthy, and prepared we might consider ourselves to be the fact remains that there’s not a thing we can do to keep disruptions and even chaos from occurring, which is similar to how a tree cannot control the weather including times of drought. When this happens the determining factor pertaining to whether or not the tree maintains green leaves and continues to bear fruit has to do with where it is planted. What are some insights and lessons to be learned from this example? “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8) “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trails 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.” (James 1:2-4) Attributions, Links & Resources: Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.® “Watching the Prescribed Burn” and “At the Gilgai” from the album “Watching the Prescribed Burn” by Hakobune. http://hakobunemusic.jp https://hakobune.bandcamp.com https://www.facebook.com/hakobuneongaku/ https://twitter.com/hakobunemusic “Discovery” from the album “Essence” by RRAREBEAR. http://www.instagram.com/rrarebearbeats http://www.twitter.com/rrarebearbeats https://soundcloud.com/rrarebearbeats Visit the following link for how to download the YouVersion Bible app for mobile devices: https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/ Helpful primer on breathing exercises for beginners provided by the Johns Hopkins Division of Rheumatology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wemm-i6XHr8