Celebrate Your Strength 

Image by RickDekker from Pixabay

A while back, I purchased a book called “How to Be more Tree” written by Liz Marvin and illustrated by Annie Davidson. I was immediately drawn to it because of my love for trees, books, the wonderful illustrations within, and my bent for gleaning insights from nature. I also wanted a light read. This seemed to fit the bill. 

I know very little about the writer, only what I’ve found through a quick Google search. However, I was fairly certain from some of her perspectives that she isn’t a Christian. That’s okay. Some cautious readers may not agree. That’s okay, too. Nevertheless, not everything the Christian will set eyes or ears upon will be born of Christian authors or artists. Hence, it’s always good practice to weigh things against what Scripture says, regardless of whether the author is a believer or not. 

That being said, I don’t agree with every instruction on ‘How to Be More Tree.’ At least not from the same angle. What I do love is the tree facts, the illustrations, and the insights that prompt me to connect these ideas to God’s word. In fact, Jesus often used nature in his parables. King Solomon, too, who prayed for wisdom, used nature in many of his wise insights in the book of Proverbs.

It was the Ash tree’s inner strength that persuaded me to write this blog post. According to Liz, ash trees produce some of the strongest wood. They’re a strong spirited tree? When I think of inner strength I may not be thinking the same thing that Liz was when she wrote, “But trees know that real confidence comes from valuing what’s within.”

I’m quite prone to devaluing what’s within me based on my own strengths and merits, but I can most certainly find strength in valuing God Himself and the Spirit within me. (The Holy Spirit) This confidence is far superior to my own and doesn’t depend on what I can or can’t do. In fact, it’s better if I’m weak. For when I’m weak God’s power rests on me.

I’m thankful that this is so, as we all fall short of God’s gold standard. Graciously, Jesus died and rose from the grave for our shortcomings. This proves that He is more than willing to forgive our sins and help those who come to Him to make improvements. 🌳🔨🔧🪺🪶🍎

Therefore, celebrate your strength. Be glad and rejoice in God’s Spirit within you. 

• The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. –Habakkuk 3:19

• My grace is all you need, for my power is the greatest when you are weak. –2 Corinthians 12:9

• Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. –Nehemiah 8:10

• God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” –Psalm 46:5

• I can do all things through him who strengthens me. –Philippians 4:13 

• The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. –Exodus 15:2 

• But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. –Psalms 59:16

• For the LORD, your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” –Deuteronomy 20:4

• He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. –Isaiah 40:29