Is the heat chipping away at your confidence and trust, causing you to give in to worry and fear for your son or daughter? Do you wonder if they’ll ever be okay?  Will you ever have a normal life or a loving relationship with them? 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 were in the psych ward?

There have been huge arguments. So much chaos. So much despair. Their lives appear to be drying up and fading away.

It may feel like yours is, too.

One morning when I felt my lowest, God 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 vibrant.

Imagine breaking the rules of nature; being fruitful with no rain. That’s not going to happen in the real world.

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

The tree mentioned in Jeremiah did what healthy trees do. It sent its roots out to find a water source. Spiritually, the stream and water represent God and the abundant life He offers.

Have you found this source of life-giving water? The well that never runs dry? Did you once know, but forgot or lost your way?

On my own I didn’t think I could survive all the pain and heartache my ‘daughter-drought’ had caused.  The impact on my life had been enormous. Extensive. I wilted in the extreme heat conditions. My spirit dried up and faded away as I gave in to fear and worry. I lost my confidence in God’s ability to help. I struggled to trust Him. I couldn’t see any way through.

BUT, because I chose to plant myself by His water-source and put down deep roots, He caused me to flourish in spite of my crushing circumstances.

So can you. No matter how hot it gets.

Worry Defeater, on our own we can’t endure the drought we’re in with our child, much less flourish in it.  Show us how to plant ourselves by Your life-giving water. Help us send our roots down deep by Your stream. Instead of being filled with worry and fear, we will choose to confidently trust in You, now and forevermore.

In Your life-giving name. Amen.

**If you’re  struggling with depression to the point of being dysfunctional –  adversely affected in a major area of your life (work, health, sleep, relationships), then I encourage you to consider seeing a counselor as soon as possible, before things get worse. Getting help sooner is better than later.

Email me if you need assistance finding a counselor in your area or go to psychologytoday.com They also give the option of narrowing your search to Christian counselors.