The Secret to Staying Spiritually Alive
Everyone walks through seasons when life feels barren—when prayers seem unanswered, joy feels out of reach, and hope starts to fade. The Bible doesn’t hide this reality. In fact, Jeremiah 17 describes it perfectly: drought and heat will come. The question is—will you wither, or will you stay alive and fruitful even in the harshest conditions?
“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… 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)
It’s more than poetic imagery—it’s a promise. And it’s a blueprint for how to stay rooted, steady, and spiritually alive, no matter how dry life feels.
The Two Roads Before Us
Jeremiah contrasts two kinds of lives. One is like a bush in the wasteland: rootless, fruitless, existing but not thriving. The other is like a tree planted by streams of water—secure, nourished, and fruitful no matter the season. The difference? Trust.
One life trusts in human strength, self-sufficiency, and worldly wisdom. The other puts full confidence in God—His Word, His plan, His timing.
Trust Isn’t Just a Feeling—It’s a Practice
Trust is not a vague spiritual vibe—it’s a series of daily choices. It’s choosing prayer over panic when the future feels uncertain. It’s forgiving when every instinct says to hold onto the offense. It’s obeying God’s direction even when it costs you comfort or social acceptance.
These small acts of faith send your roots deeper into God’s living water. And while roots grow underground where no one sees, they make all the difference when drought or heat arrives.
The Promise in the Drought
Jeremiah doesn’t say the blessed never face heat or drought. In fact, he guarantees they will. The difference is, when life gets hard, their leaves remain green. They don’t wither because their source is deeper than circumstances—it’s God Himself.
If you’ve ever met a believer who radiates joy even in crisis, you’ve witnessed this truth in action. Their peace isn’t denial; it’s the fruit of trust built over time.
Fruit That Lasts Beyond You
God’s blessing isn’t meant to stop with us. The “fruit” of a life rooted in Him is not just personal success—it’s legacy. It’s the people who come to faith because of your witness, the lives touched by your generosity, the prayers you’ve prayed that outlive you.
Jesus modeled this perfectly. He trusted His Father’s plan all the way to the cross, enduring the heat of suffering, and the fruit of His obedience is the Church—billions of lives transformed for eternity.
Which Will You Be?
Every morning, we face the same choice Jeremiah set before God’s people:
Will we trust in ourselves and end up dry, brittle, and alone?
Or will we trust in the Lord and grow into a life-giving presence, even in the harshest conditions?
The path to being a flourishing tree isn’t glamorous. It’s slow, often hidden work. But with each decision to trust, forgive, obey, and worship, our roots sink deeper. And when the heat comes, we’ll stand—not just for ourselves, but for the generations who will find shade in our faith.
Read Jeremiah 17:5–8. In your own words, how would you describe the difference between the “bush in the wasteland” and the “tree planted by the water”? Which image feels more like your current season?
Trusting God is often a daily decision, not just a one-time choice. What are some small, practical ways you can deepen your trust in Him this week?
Heat and drought come to everyone. Can you share a time when you faced a “dry season” but still saw God sustain you? What helped you keep your “leaves green”?
The blog talks about “fruit” as legacy—impacting others, not just personal blessing. What kind of legacy do you hope your life will produce? How are you intentionally sowing into that today?
Sometimes sending roots deeper means letting go of control and comfort. Where is God inviting you to take a step of faith right now that may stretch your trust in Him?