I learned something years ago from a landscaping friend of mine. He had just taken a class and I asked him about the dormant season. He said that the roots are still very active, gathering food from the soil. The dormant time is an essential time. The soil needs nitrogen which is immediate food. Dormancy brings stability, growth, and beauty.

The fruit is determined by the root system. There is an interesting verse in 2 Kings 19:30. It is speaking about the remnant of Israel. It says, “…take root downward, and bear fruit upward.” We cannot see our roots. However, we can be assured they are thriving when we are abiding in Him. It is a given. It is the way He establishes us.  

We flourish in our trials when our roots are being fed through the soil of our intimate communion with the Lord. 1 Peter 5:10 says, “…after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”