Do you want to be more resilient to change? Native wildflowers are experts at being resilient. They have important lessons to teach us about being resilient and strong, no matter the season.
Prefer to listen? Here’s the podcast episode:
How to Become More Resilient to Change
I love native plants and have incorporated many of them into my flowerbeds. Year after year, they perform even better than the shorter-lived annuals and even some cultivars.
Asclepias, also known as butterfly milkweed, is dearly beloved by butterflies and moths. It blooms in June, July and August in shades of yellow and orange to attract many species of insects. You’ll see a few on the photo below if you look closely.
This beautiful plant with unusually-shaped flowers captured my imagination as a writer.
At one of my writing guild meetings, I had five minutes to write on this prompt:
“Some people change when they see the light; other when they feel the heat.”
This poem is the result, which teaches us about resilience.
Native wildflowers are experts at being resilient. They have important lessons to teach us about being resilient and strong, no matter the season. #resilient #resilience #spiritualgrowth Click To Tweet
Asclepias
I want to be a seed that germinates best
after the freeze, thaw, freeze, thaw cycle.
A native wildflower,
one who sets deep roots.
A strong and resilient beauty.
I want to wake to the early March rays,
the light diluted through low clouds.
The seed that cracks open
when frost still threatens.
A brave seed who grows down and up simultaneous
drawing deep from spent deaths
of nature’s detritus
one who shoots up green
despite the dark depth and chill.
Not a needy cucumber or bean or tomato,
which need warm soil and hot sun.
Not a desperate climber quick to set seed.
I want to be satisfied with my limited bloom.
My week of orange glory,
my service to the passing monarch,
flying northeast on her brilliant journey.
I want my seeds to burst from a dry fall capsule,
carried by the wind
on their tufts of shining spun silver.
I want to be a seed that germinates best after the freeze, thaw, freeze, thaw cycle. A native wildflower, one who sets deep roots... #poetry #wildflower #inspiration Click To Tweet
6 Tips for Growing in Resilience
You can grow in resilience by mimicking the traits of asclepias. Here are tips for you:
Sink deep roots of faith into God’s Word.
His truths will carry you through hard seasons and uplift you in good ones. Meditate on Scripture every day to help it sink into the depths of your heart and mind (Josh. 1:8).
Realize that life is a cycle of ups and downs intended to strengthen you.
Native seeds germinate best in these cycles. Their roots can go deeper due to nature’s strength training before they ever sprout. God promises to give you strength when you are weary (Is. 40:29).
Determine to be fruitful for God’s glory.
When you face tough seasons, don’t give up. Choose to bear fruit via the Holy Spirit’s power even in hard times. Realize that God is working all things together for your good, even or especially the hard things (Rom. 8:28).
Trust that God is working in the darkness.
If you are in an obscure season, where no one sees what is happening, God is still at work. Believe that he will bring a good work to completion in the right time (Phil. 1:6).
Be satisfied with how God made you.
None of us are unlimited. We are finite because we are mortal. It’s good for us to humble ourselves and accept our limitations. Yet because the Holy Spirit lives in us when we believe, we can do great things for God in his power (Rom. 8:11).
Share God’s glory far and wide.
Cast off selfishness and serve others out of your love for God. Plant many seeds of faith and broadcast them everywhere you go. Trust God to bring a fruitful harvest from your efforts as you persist in faith (Gal. 6:9).
6 tips for growing in resilience, learned from a native wildflower. #inspirational #encouragement #christianliving Click To TweetWhich one of these tips will help you become more resilient in your current situation? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the beauty of your creation.
It holds beautiful lessons for us when we look closely for them.
Like the native wildflowers, I want to glorify you with all of my being.
Help me sink deep roots of faith into your Word.
Strengthen me in the ups and downs of all of my life seasons.
Empower me to be fruitful for your glory.
Remind me you are working in the dark seasons as well as in the bright ones.
Give me satisfaction for who you made me to be.
Inspire me to share seeds of faith far and wide.
I thank you in advance for how you will work through me.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
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