THRIVING, NOT JUST SURVIVING

I'm joining with other writers from Five Minute Friday, and today's prompt word is ROOT. 

“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.”  Jer 17:7-8

I think these verses remind me that it is possible to not only recover from abuse, but to actually thrive.    Abuse leaves you not just broken but really dry and empty and full of fear.  It's like living in a soul-drought all the time.   The best you can do is survive, somehow.   

Abuse destroys your confidence.  It destroys your identity.  It attacks your worth in deep, hidden and insidious ways.   It destroys you at your roots.   It stops you from growing and moving forward.   

But God!

God's plan is that we thrive, that we flourish, that we live an abundant life.   

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.  John 10:10

But we have to send our roots down, down, down, into the hidden place, the secret place, into His presence, into the shelter of the Most High.   It's a choice.  It doesn't happen accidentally.  It has to be intentional.  

God is the ultimate Redeemer and Restorer.    It is possible to move from fear to confidence, but only by putting down our roots deep into His character and His truths.  His Word is the water we need to live well, to have green leaves, to be fruitful for others, but also to be really living and not just struggling and striving and surviving.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.   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.  Ps 1:2,3

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.  Ps 52:8

I've had to choose to dig deep into Him and to put aside everything that others have said and done and handed me and trust only in Him.   I've had to plant myself in good soil.   I've had to water myself with the Word, and submit myself to the ultimate Gardener.  

image courtesy of https://www.kindpng.com/

And like putting down roots in the natural, it all takes time, it takes effort, it takes perseverance, it takes hope, it takes faith, it takes pushing past resistance and tiredness and fear. 

It takes grace.  He gives us grace to push into Him.  He gives grace to the humble.   

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.     Heb 4:16 

But there is the promise, that if we keep trusting in Him, His character, His faithfulness, His goodness, His truths, that we are blessed and we WILL thrive, regardless of the circumstances, regardless of our past.   

All of this reminds me of a song I've known for years.   Thrive by Casting Crowns.  

Here in this worn and weary land

Where many a dream has died

Like a tree planted by the water

We never will run dry

So living water flowing through

God, we thirst for more of You

Fill our hearts and flood our souls with one desire

Just to know You and to make You known

We lift Your name on high

Shine like the sun, make darkness run and hide

We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives

It's time for us to more than just survive

We were made to thrive