More From DeVonna R. Allison

I am grateful to The Upper Room for the opportunity to share this devotion with you today. As you can see from the photo here, the Sister Tree continues to thrive, though she is bent by time and circumstances. The remarkable thing about the tree is that it has rooted to the spot where it fell and now touches the earth. It has two trunks, in a sense giving it twice as much strength and nurturing. The tree has not wasted its experiences, she has adapted to her wounds, and in doing so, has become even stronger. I like that.

We all face trials in life. We all have a story. Instead of resenting the ways life has hurt us wouldn’t it be better to use those trials as a means of strengthening ourselves and our faith? Here’s Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (NIV). The ultimate “good” is the increase of our personal faith and using our overcoming testimony to inspire others.

God bless us all.