Chapter 10: Ep 1: From Theraflu to Prayer: A Testimony of Trusting God

0:00 Hello, beautiful souls. Welcome back to the Diary of a Black Woman podcast. I'm your host, Connie Morris, and today we're diving into an inspiring episode as part of our 40 Days of Spiritual Renewal series. This episode is titled, The Strength of Being Rooted in God. We'll explore how a life deeply connected to God provides stability, growth, and fruitfulness. Even in challenging seasons, our foundation is built on his word and promises. And when we are firmly rooted, we can flourish against all odds.

0:43 The strength of being rooted, we're going to start out in Jeremiah 17, 7 through 8. Yeah, my voice is a little raspy because I'm just getting over some kind of bug that was going around. And I do have a story for you that's going to be part of our episode, but let me get to it. Let's go to Jeremiah 17, 7 through 8. It says, but blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out his roots by the streams. It does not fear when he comes. It leaves are always green.

1:28 It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17, 7 through 8. I'm going to read that again. It says, But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the streams. 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 again.

2:08 It says, this imagery of a tree planted by the water is so powerful. A tree's strength comes from its roots, and its roots draw nourishment and stability from the water. In the same way, our spiritual strength comes from staying deeply rooted in God, trusting Him, drawing from His Word, and remaining confident in His promises. The tree doesn't fear drought or heat because its roots are connected to a constant source of life. Likewise, when we stay connected to God, we can thrive in difficult seasons.

2:56 Reflection question here is how deeply are you rooted in your relationship with God? I think this is a good point for a testimony here. When I read that statement here in Jeremiah 17, in verse 7 through 8, it says, But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. The other day, you know, I was getting my car tuned up and getting it ready just because I'd use it for my work. And I felt a little sickness trying to come on, right? And by the end of the day, it was in full-blown sickness, right?

3:36 I was like, oh my gosh, I feel it coming through my body. And my first inkling wasn't this confidence in the Lord. It was running to Walmart to get some Theraflu. And I thought that was hilarious as I tell you why it was funny. Because I was like, wow, wow. And then I'm in bed for a couple of days, just aching and pain. You know how you get that body aches and pain. And then I finally had enough strength to go get to my prayer closet. And I took my communion with the Lord and I just prayed and rebuked the fever that I had on my body.

4:18 And it was gone immediately. Just like the Bible said, Jesus rebuked that fever and it was gone immediately. And I realized that my confidence at that time wasn't in the Lord. It was in the Theraflu. And I was like, I could have been well a couple of days ago if I would have just put my confidence in the Lord instead of running to the store. And so that was a lesson learned right there. And so I just wanted to share that testimony with you. So how deeply are you rooted in your relationship with God? Where do you run to when things get bad?

4:59 Do you run directly to God or do you run to Walmart and get your Theraflu? That was funny to me. And as I was sitting there praying this morning, the Lord said, I want you to count on me for everything, every little thing. Just trust in me for the little thing. A lot of times I go to God with the big things. I figure, you know, I can fight off this cold. I can fight off this cough. No, no, no. You come to me for everything. Don't trust in your own understanding. Stay connected and rooted with God. Amen?

5:39 Okay, let's keep going. Another scripture that reflects this is Psalms 1, 1 through 3. It says, blessed is the one. I know I'm a little emotional this morning because it's fresh off the press. Blessed is the one whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever they do prospers. So we have another way that when we stay connected to God, that whatever we do prosper, that our fruit will always be ripe in the season.

6:26 Our leaf will never, never wither. And whatever we do. So when we meditate on God's word and make it the foundation of our lives, we bear spiritual fruit. That fruit might be peace in a storm, joy in a hardship, kindness in a world that often lacks it. How about this rebuking of a fever, rebuking of a fever when you just go to the Lord? Amen. Just as a tree can't grow without good soil and water, We can't grow spiritually without spending time in God's presence and his word.

7:10 God looks forward to meeting us wherever your schedule is that you meet with him. What spiritual fruit is God calling you to produce in this season? Isn't that interesting? He's causing you, he's always, God's always forward moving. So what is that fruit that he's having you to produce in this season? Life isn't always easy. Storms come, droughts happen. But when our roots go deep into God's truth, we can stand firm. Think about the tree in Jeremiah 17. It doesn't fear when heat comes or worry during a drought because it's connected to his source of life.

7:59 Psalms 112, 6 reads, the righteous will never be shaken. They will be remembered forever. It's like when you're standing firm with God, he said, you will never be shaken. You will be remembered forever. When we're rooted in God, we won't be shaken by life's challenges. Instead, we'll remain steadfast, knowing that he is our source of strength. What strength, what, let me find it again. What storms have you recently faced and how did your faith keep you grounded?

8:43 What storms have you recently faced and how did your faith keep you grounded? You know, I think my, usually, I'll say, usually when I get down with the flu or whatever that bug was, it usually takes me about five to seven days. I can say three days, two and a half days, I was up and at it. And so knowing that I was like, I need to get to prayer. I need to get to prayer. And so my whole heart was trying to get there. As soon as I got strength enough to get to prayer, I was like, boom, I'm in my space. And immediately I was made whole. And so how do we deepen our spiritual roots?

9:26 Some of it is basic stuff. I don't make it, God doesn't make it difficult. One, spending daily time in God's word. Psalms 119.105 says, Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path. Making scripture reading a daily habit to stay connected to God's promises. Number two, pray with intention. Prayer is like the water for our souls. Spends time talking to God and listening for his guidance. And three, surround yourself with a faithful community. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27, 17.

10:13 A strong community helps us stay grounded and grow in faith. So we spend time in God's word. We're just listening, reading. And you get the right translation if you listen to it. I like listening to it on audible. It sounds like he's talking directly, giving you direct instructions. Pray with intention and surround yourself with a faithful community. Here go some decrees to be rooted in God's word. So let's repeat these after me. I decree that I am like a tree planted by streams of water, firmly rooted in God's word and promises.

10:56 I decree that I will not fear life's challenges because my confidence is in the Lord. I decree that I will bear spiritual fruit in every season and prosper in God's purpose for my life. So this week I challenge you to spend time meditating on Jeremiah 17, 7-8. We are in March now, so we know that it's almost springtime. Snow is starting to melt. And so reflect on where your roots are planted. Are they firmly planted to God? Are there areas where you need to...

11:40 Dig deeper. And we know where we need to dig deeper at, right? So are there some areas you're like, you know, I need to plant some seeds over here, dig up some weeds over here, water these seeds over here. What do I need to do to make my life, you know, make sure that I'm getting more rooted and grounded in the word of God. Write down one step you'll take this week to deepen your roots, whether it's spending more time in scripture, starting a prayer journal, or joining a small a small group. Find some way to stay connected so that you can continually to grow. And excuse me for coughing in the mic. I apologize.

12:20 All right, so let's close this out in prayer. Heavenly Father, I thank you for being the source of our strength and stability. Teach us to stay deeply rooted in the word and promises so that we can thrive no matter what life brings. Help us to bear fruit that glorifies you and to remain steadfast in every season. In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you for joining me on this episode of Diary of a Black Woman podcast. If today's message encouraged you, share with a friend, subscribe for more episodes, and until next time, stay rooted in faith, thrive in every season, and be blessed.