Psalm 1:2-3 talks about a Godly person and what he/she can expect from life.

1. Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men’s advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God. 2. But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely. 3. They are like trees along a riverbank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail. Their leaves shall never wither, and all they do shall prosper. (TLB)

When I read this passage, the phrase, “their leaves shall never wither…” jumped out at me. I thought, “I want leaves that never wither!” So, I studied the cause and effect of leaves withering.

Leaves wither because of dehydration.
Leaves wither because of pests.
Leaves wither because of fungal disease.
Leave wither because of viral infection.

In this blog, I’m going to share about leaves withering from dehydration. Dehydration occurs when a leaf is disconnected from a water source. If we have leaves that will not wither, how can we avoid dehydration?

One way we can avoid dehydration is remaining connected to our water source. As believers, that source is God. We receive “water” from His written word and spoken word in our lives. If we go days, weeks, months or years without praying, going to church, reading His word or listening for His voice, we will become dehydrated. Our leaves (works) will wither.

Another way we can avoid dehydration is by staying in an environment that contains water (or our source). Simply, we must surround ourselves with those who are also connected to the source and are going in the direction we are going in. If we find ourselves in an environment without the source (where God is not), our leaves will wither.

Another way we can avoid dehydration is by getting sufficient water. Sometimes we find ourselves getting some water, but not enough water. We must increase our intake if we notice our leaves are withering and we are drying up. Or we may have to go where the supply is greater. If we don’t get enough water, our leaves will wither.

Finally, we can avoid dehydration by making sure others are not keeping us from the source. There are times, when we are caught up in life’s events and circumstances and those things prevent us from getting to the source. When that happens, we must disconnect from those things (i.e. distractions, people, work, fear, anxiety, etc.) that keep us from the source we need. If you can’t get to the source, move whatever is in your way or your leaves will wither.

Take an evaluation and see if your leaves are withering. Are you making progress? Have your works dried up? Is your life stale? You can start today to inject “water” into your leaves and watch your leaves perk up. Your life was designed to bear fruit and have leaves that never wither!

Stay tuned next week to discover what the pests are that cause your leaves to wither.

~Coletta Jones Patterson

*Coletta is a life/business coach, author, business executive and speaker who is passionate about getting others unstuck.  Her new release, “Beyond Stuck: Creating the Life You Want” is available on Amazon.  Connect with Coletta at info@moveu4ward.com.