DAY 22 – Rooted and Grounded With One Another | Firm Foundation Devotional
Philippians 4:6, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Giving thanks is not some kind of a personal pep rally. Giving thanks is a real life way to handle difficulties. Stop and think of times when you have felt overwhelmed by problems and difficulties. If you can remember, those seasons lacked a time of deep thanks giving to God. There's absolutely no way to successfully handle problems without the balance of rejoicing and giving thanks to God which releases His grace into the situation.
Prayer and thanks giving form a closely connected unity. There is no effective thanks giving with prayer. There is no prayer without giving thanks. This unity of prayer and giving thanks lifts the burden of anxiety and allows your faith to operate.
The Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 2:7, “Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”
Here's a lesson from giant redwood trees on being “rooted and grounded:”
Redwood trees don't have the deepest roots. Redwoods do not survive alone. They form “tribes” or communities. Sometimes they grow so close to each other they merge at the base into one tree. Redwoods grow in groups with their roots becoming intertwined. They grow more wide than deep. Redwood trees live in an embrace of one another at the root level. The entire system relies on their rooted connections.
Reflection Question: What are your root level connections? How to you contribute to the strength of the community of Christ Followers?
Action Item(s) Based on Understanding:
