What a Seed Can Teach Us About Trials

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
Luke 8:15


Have you ever had a vegetable garden? We usually have a little one where we experiment with a few vegetables and herbs. Some years are more productive than others. With the tomatoes, peppers and herbs, we typically begin with starter plants. For the rest, we begin with seed.

If you aren't familiar with planting a seed, the first step is to poke a shallow hole in the ground. Next you place the seed into the hole and cover it completely with dirt. The final step is to water it well. A new seed requires damp soil to germinate so, at least here in Texas,  you need to water it frequently.   If the conditions are right and the seed healthy, it will generally germinate within two weeks for most vegetables. The seed breaks open and a shoot of new life begins to grow. In time, you'll have a harvest of goodness for your table.

 From the seed's perspective, this is a time of great trial. It sits all alone in darkness where it is broken by flood waters. Just when all appears lost, something miraculous happens. It begins to grow. The seed is transformed, growing into the perfect plant it was always intended to be. 

The next time you're hurting, consider the seed. Could your trial be the very thing needed to help you grow more fully into the perfect person God created you to be? 


Message for the Journey:
Do you feel like the seed, alone in the darkness, broken by the flood waters of life? Don't despair; have faith.  God is right there with you. In His time, He will turn your mourning into laughter and bring a harvest of abundance to your life. 

“The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people."  
 Zachariah 8:12

©AnnWilds2011

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7 comments:

  1. Great article! Very encouraging. Love the seed analogy and the scripture verse fits well. Good job.

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  2. One of my favorite verses, when we hear the word it should always fall on good soil but sometimes it don't because we allow the enemy to come and snatch that word right from us. Great post you did. Have a bless day

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  3. Just love this! Have never though of planting from the seeds perspective!  And so how it is with us...darkest right before God spouts us for His glory!  Such a great word picture I am holding onto.  Thanks!  Blessings, Jen

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  4. Thanks, Bob. It is encouraging when we remember that God is working all things for our good. Have a blessed day.

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  5. Desiray- you are exactly right. We allow it to happen because we fail to rely on the power in His word. Have a great day.

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  6. Jen- Word pictures can be so helpful in holding on to lessons. So glad it touched you today. Thanks for stopping by. Have a blessed day.  

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  7. This is spot on.  I've found this to be true in my own life.  So thankful that even in the dark, He is working.  Thank you for the encouragement.

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