Have you ever seen a palm tree in the midst of a great storm? That tree may be bent so far over that it’s almost touching the ground, but when the wind finally stops, that palm tree bounces right back up. What’s interesting is that while that palm tree is hunched over under the pressure of the storm, it is actually becoming stronger.

See, the reason God said we’d flourish like a palm tree is because He knew there would be difficult times. He knew things would come against us to try to steal our joy and victory, but God said, “You’re going to be like a palm tree because when the storms of life blow, you are going to come right back up stronger than before.”

As you reflect on the events over the last year, remember, the storms you have encountered have only made you stronger ~ you are wiser, you are more alive, and you either had or are headed for a victory. The setbacks you may have faced were not “setbacks”, they are setups. God is using the things that were meant for your harm to create a bigger, better, brighter future for you (Jeremiah 29:11 and Genesis 50:20) ~ your brightest days are right out in front of you so always remember that with God on your side, nothing can hold you back!

Father in heaven, thank You for making me strong in You. I trust that You are working in my life, even in the midst of the storms. Thank You for a new year and a new season of blessing in You in Jesus’ name. Amen.