Stressed to shine
Did you know that succulents change colours when they are stressed? The pigments that are responsible for colours on plant tissue are chlorophyll for green, anthocyanin for red, pink, violet, blue and carotenoids for red, orange and yellow. Stressed succulents produce more pigments to protect themselves, when they are exposed to harsher conditions like change in water levels, sun exposure and seasonal temperature.
In our spiritual journey, we need to grow more in faith when we are stressed. Every bit of my spiritual growth, I did not get it on my good times, but only when all I had was my faith, while going through those very difficult situations. I had to make that decision to remain peaceful and press through my struggles or storms, without giving up, believing and trusting God fully. I am reminded by the three different storms that we all can face in life. God may allow us to go through a correcting storm, to get our attention, because of our stubbornness or disobedience. He may be allowing a perfecting storm, to stretch our faith to perfect us and a protecting storm to protect us from Satan's plans of destruction. Whatever it may be, real stress is what goes on inside of us, and not what happens around us. It is always in those difficult times that we grow, holding on and knowing God and His goodness more everyday.
Are you shining with more colours by His grace, when stressed?