The University of Arizona owns a biosphere—a sealed mini version of our planet. This capsulized environment supplies scientists with the unique opportunity to study the whole earth’s living systems.
A surprise discovered within the biosphere was trees collapsing before they reached maturity. Someone realized there was not enough wind, and the importance of wind upon plant life was realized. The pressure of consistent wind causes trees to form reaction wood (or stress wood) as part of their structural make-up. This wood provides them with a strength which allows them to grow to maturity.
Life is full of different winds. Some seasons of life can’t help but be continually stressful, like when you have toddlers or teenagers in your home. Sometimes stress comes from consistent setbacks or a myriad of little things going wrong. And there are times it feels like you are living in the middle of a hurricane.
Yet James encourages us to, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4, NIV).
Whatever level of stress you face today, lean into the wind, remembering it is a part of your life that God can leverage for your good, your maturity, and the strengthening of your faith.
