trouble.

7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.

8 He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
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." Jeremiah 17

There will be trouble in this world, guaranteed. No amount of precaution or preventative measures can reduce the conflict, hardships, and pain that is bound to occur to us while we're on this earth. It's evitable. Jesus even said it in John chapter 16. So, what do we do when trouble strikes? Actually, it should be rephased to what should we do before trouble strikes? Although we cannot stop anything bad from happening or we cannot even begin to lessen the heavy blows of reality and injustice, we can surely be prepared for the beating.

In Jeremiah we are told that a man whose confidence is in God is like a tree, which is planted strategically by the water. When drought comes, not only does it refrain from fearing or trembling, but it also remains wholly green and healthy. By planting itself so firmly in what is good, nothing can shake it, even when traumatic events do occur! We need to be like that tree; we need to be so rooted in God's grace and love, that WHEN those times arrive and they will, we will not waver. Our confidence is in the fact that Jesus has overcome the world, why should we be afraid?