“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

— 2 Corinthians 4:8–9 (NIV)

“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.”

— Psalm 1:3 (NIV)

Paul knew this feeling well. He didn’t sugarcoat the reality: hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, struck down. Yet, with every blow, he answered with what the storm could not do—not crushed, not in despair, not abandoned, not destroyed. His courage wasn’t born from perfect circumstances, but from a perfect Savior who never let go.

The psalmist offers us a second picture: a tree planted beside a quiet, unseen river. The storm can bend its branches and strip away some leaves, but its roots drink from a constant source. Even in drought, even in fierce wind, it stands. Its secret isn’t strength in itself—it’s the depth of its connection to the water.

Faith doesn’t mean our knees never buckle or our hearts never ache. It means that when the world shakes us, we still remain. Rooted in Christ. Nourished by His Word. Strengthened by His Spirit. We may bend, but we will not break—because the One who planted us holds us fast.

Prayer

Lord, when the winds of life shake my faith, anchor me deeper in You. Let my roots draw from Your living water so I may stand strong, bear fruit, and reflect Your steadfast love—no matter the storm. Amen.

Reflection — Question

What’s one step you can take this week to “deepen your roots” in Christ so that when the shaking comes, you remain unshaken in Him?

Final Poem

The storm may shake you, but it cannot uproot you.
The wind may strip your leaves, but it cannot steal your life.
For your roots are hidden in Christ,
your strength drawn from the River that never runs dry.

So when the sky darkens and the waves rise,
stand.
Not because you are unbreakable—
but because you are unshakably His.
And when the storm has passed,
you will find new fruit hanging from the very branches the wind once tried to tear away.

Keep Going

Tell us in the comments: How can we pray for you this week? If this encouraged you, share it with a friend who’s weathering a storm.