I remember when I felt very discouraged and depressed about my addict daughter. I was wilting from the strain of her destructive choices and behaviors. I felt like I was stuck in a drought, languishing in a heat wave with no end in sight. Is the heat chipping away at your confidence and trust, causing you to give in to worry and fear for your child? Do you wonder if they will ever be okay?  Have you lost count how many times they’ve been arrested, gone to rehab or relapsed? Have you forgotten how many times they’ve been hospitalized or Baker Acted? So many arguments. So much chaos. Their lives appear to be drying up and fading away.

It may feel like yours is, too.

I am reminded me of this Bible verse:

“… blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.
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 17:7-8).”

How desperately we want to be like this healthy tree. Flourishing, even in drought conditions.

Not Drying up.

Not fading away.

Always productive.

Always full of life.
Imagine it. Breaking nature’s rules. Fruitful with no rain. Impossible in the natural realm.

So, how is it possible? What’s the secret?

The tree in question did what healthy plants do. It sent out roots to find a water source. Spiritually, the  stream and water represent God and the life he offers.  Have you found this source of life-giving water?

On my own I didn’t think I could survive the pain and heartache my ‘daughter-drought’ caused.  I wilt in the heat. My spirit dries up and fades away. I give in to fear and worry. I lose confidence. I can’t trust.  But because I have planted myself by God’s water-source, I have come to flourish, in spite of the circumstances. So can you. No matter how hot it gets.

Worry Defeater, on our own we cannot endure the drought we are in with our child, much less flourish in it.  Show us how to plant ourselves by Your life-giving water.  Help us send out roots by Your stream. Instead of being worried and fearful, we will confidently trust You, now and forever.

In Your life-giving name, Amen.

**If you are really struggling, feeling so depressed it is making you dysfunctional –  adversely affecting any major area of your life (work, health, sleep, relationships), then you may want to consider seeing a counselor right away, before you feel worse. Getting help sooner is better than later.