My final blessing for this June newsletter is a lesson from the palm tree, on overcoming stress.

Palm trees in the Bible denote an Oasis of life-saving water in a dry desert! The crowds welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem with waving palm branches. How prophetic, as he was knowingly riding, peacefully on the humble donkey, into the horrific stress of the cross.

What can we learn from the palm tree?

The palm is the ONLY tree that can withstand the worst of hurricanes and tsunami’s. How does the palm tree withstand that stress – and how can we learn how to withstand the storms of life?

We have watched in horror as a tsunami can sweep though an area, uprooting and destroying all in its path. Afterwards, we see that the ONLY tree left standing is the palm tree.

Unlike many trees with slim roots and big showy leaves, the palm has slim leaves, but a very strong trunk and roots. The hurricane passes right through the thin, tough, spiky leaves of the palm. In other words, the palm does not “sweat the small stuff!” It lets the tearing winds pass right through it!

It remains strong in the trunk, which is specially protected and armoured. When we are similarly protected and armed with the Armour of God in Ephesians 6, we, too, can also withstand the storms that come our way. Ephesians 6 tells us to wear the belt of truth, the breast plate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions!

Learn these scriptures by heart, so that you can stand strong like the palm tree. Even when we stand alone, maybe in persecution, without the internet, and our Bibles are burned, we too can stand strong in the WORD OF GOD.

There is only one thing that kills the palm tree, however. It is the COLD.

When people are cold to us, we die, too.

Ask Jesus to show you every day how you can show His love to someone, to warm their heart and help them Get Well and STAY Well. When we see what he withstood, our problems fade away. Don’t sweat the small stuff, keep rooted in The Word. And warm the world with a kind smile, action and word!