A tree's strength is in its root system. Trees with a healthy root system can withstand violent storms. The wood of trees with deep roots is harder than that of those with shallow roots. Soft wood is easily broken and scarred. The wood of a tree with hard wood is more valuable than that of a tree with soft wood. For example, a pine tree's root system is not very deep compared to that of an oak. The largest and deepest roots are found in trees growing close to water, having a constant supply of nourishment.

Psalm 1:1-3, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful, 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 and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

We are quick to enjoy the last part of this scripture. We all like for everything that we do to prosper. It is wonderful to see lots of fruit and to bloom in our season. We need to realize that there is a condition that we must obey to have these wonderful blessings. The strength we need to endure storms comes from the quality and depth of our spiritual roots. If we are not rooted and grounded in the word, we are more likely to be like a tree that loses it's branches and falls to the ground in a storm. Spiritual success comes from simply delighting in the Lord. The more time you spend with Him, the stronger you will become. The enemy tries to complicate our life and our daily tasks to make this seem impossible at times. We must discipline ourselves to overcome the enemy in this area. There is a hiding place that can be found in God where your roots are so deep they are constantly fed in the river of life. There is no storm that can shake you or wind that can blow your branches away when you are holding on and grounded in the right place. Your spirit can be strong and resistant to scars. How deep are your roots?

John 15:4-5, "Abide in Me and I in You. As the branch cannot bare fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine you are the branches, he who abides in me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."