In the heart of the Arabian Gulf lies a Kingdom of beauty- Bahrain. A small island (island of pearls)in which tradition meets civilization and forms a country with a very rich past, a glorious present and a promising future. I was fortunate work in this land of great culture and beauty for 18 years as a consultant ENT surgeon at the Bahrain Military Hospital.
Tree of Life in Bahrain
The southern two-thirds of the island is desert. It is desolate and dry, with bluffs in the distance. Right in the middle of this desolation, however, sits the “Tree of Life”, a 400-500 year old mesquite tree. It comes from the Acacia family, which usually have a life expectancy of less then 100yrs. It is a mystery how the tree has survived in the middle of the desert for this many years.
It is marvelously big, with several low branches extending out in various directions, lot of tourist flock to this spot to see the marvel of Gods creation. This giant tree survive in the middle of desert for hundreds of years, its fed by its deep roots digging hundreds of feet in to the heart of the earth sucking spring water. Even in the great desert storms it survived over these years. There is no other visible live vegitations in this desert for miles around.
It survive in the face of great adversities because of its deep roots, while we see even giant trees falling on even a small puff of wind, if their roots are not deep.
Faith in the face of Adversity
When tragedy strikes in ones life we all question God, why this only happens to good people, then the normal reaction follows which is fear, denial, anger, depression, and finally acceptance. But if you have a personal relationship with God, try to make Him your pillar of strength in all these stages.
The Bible teaches us people have always experienced tremendous adversity. It also teaches us God was present for those individuals and as is present to us today.
The strength of a believer\’s faith can be measured by its resistance against adverse situations that come his way. Solomon says, “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength [faith] is small” (Proverbs 24:10).
People of faith are not moved by the storms of life. They are not threatened by any decree nor do they flinch at troublous times. Rather than break or bow in such situations they are more convinced that every challenge that come their way is a mere stepping stone to the manifestation of God\’s power, love and care. Their faith always works for them. They all maintain their faith in adversity, faith in the midst of fiery trials.
Don\’t give up because of troubles and trials, but develop our faith to the level where it stays on and keeps trusting in the midst of life\’s tempest.
“Seeds of faith are always within us; sometimes it takes a crisis to nourish and encourage their growth.”
