Motivation

Distress is necessary for growth. On January 31, 2011, Bishop Dale C. Bronner delivered a message titled, "The Flourishing Palm," inspired from the following scriptures.

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” Psalms 92:12-15

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As I studied the palm in parallel to Christians, I realized God has provided us an uncanny ability to prosper in adversity. The palm tree is an evergreen, although typically found in tropical climates, it can be grown anywhere when it is planted in the right environment. In scripture those who are called the righteous are continually referred to as trees. I find that in the Bible, God is very practical in His application. He gives us views from His perspective and then breaks it down for us to understand based on our earthly knowledge. Such as in the days of Abram; God tells him to look up into the heavens. This was God’s offer to give Abram a heavenly perspective of his promise. Then God expresses how he would multiply the seed of Abram as the sand upon the sea shore. In this we can see how God gave significance to the stars in the sky and the grains of sand to provide an earthly example of His promise. In relation to this analogy, those seeds God promised have become the righteous; those planted by God.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalms 1:3

The attributes of the palm tree should be present in our lives today. Ever notice the leaf of a palm branches out as the palm of your hand? God promises that as the leaf of a palm flourishes, so shall the work of our hands. So what's in your hand? What abilities have God seeded in you that boasts of promised fruit? This revelation motivated me in understanding that no matter what problems I face, I have what I need not only to survive, but thrive. When we understand we have purposely been equipped with all we need; challenges pale in comparison to our promise.

Have you ever seen a tree decide to change its location and uproot itself? Like a seed, God as the gardener, knows exactly what soil, temperature and nutrients it takes to sustain us. He is faithful to tend to our needs. Seasonal maintenance and pruning is part of the process for long-term survival. So we shouldn't question where or how we were planted. Trust God, those in Him are planted to withstand the storms of life.

He 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 17:8

Problems prophesy to our potential. If God allows you to be tested, he knows what fruit is in you that would no other way be released unless you were put under stress. Thank God for your problems; without them, how would you grow? Bishop Bronner quoted, "People are like tea bags; drop them in hot water to find what's in them." In my experience, some lessons I would never have learned had I not gone through pain.

Bishop Bronner’s message offered me to look at problems with a new perspective. From my notes:

Don't run from problems.
1. Problems were intended to direct me back to God
2. Inspect my current state
3. Correct me
4. Protect me- problems have the ability to bring light to unforeseen issues or hidden dangers
5. Perfect me

One thing for sure, God uses problems as a way to get our attention. I am motivated by problems because I understand that every great hero had a problem. Choose to give your great problems to our great God. He will enable us to work them out with His wisdom.

Perhaps problems are character builders. Without them would we really be motivated?

Say, I am rooted and grounded in Christ; I cannot fail because Jesus is my foundation. He is my environment, my sanctuary. When trouble arises, I will call upon the Lord. I will rest in Him. He's my peace. The more the palm tree is pressed down the more it flourishes. Likewise, I understand that God is telling me not to resist pain. Pain is part of the process for my growth. I won’t resist the storms of life. When the wind blows, I can allow the wind to bend my branches and like the palm I am resilient. God won't allow me to break. I accept God’s wisdom to perfect me. I am planted to flourish and produce in this life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


May the revelation of acquiring a new perspective of problems motivate those who are grounded in truth to flourish in Christ so that the fruit is evident in every area of their lives.

-a servant's heart

Disclaimer. A servant's utterance is copyright protected (c) 2011 a servant's heart and the information contained expresses personal views and values of a servant’s heart. The passage in its entirely may be forwarded or linked without consequence however, for any non-personal excerpt for print or publication should request consent from a servant's heart prior to use.