Worried by long months of drought? Worry no more!

The most wonderful time of the year is here! Everyone is really merry & excited during this season of gift-giving, buying presents and toys for loved ones, reunions left and right, all the glitz and glamour brought by Christmas parties. But aside from that, I know you would agree with me, it's also the most awaited season for the corporate workers -- Bonus time!

It is this benefit that makes an employee and their families very happy. It's an employer's retention strategy and it's really working, (not for me I guess).

But is the bonus season really the reason of happiness for most of us? Yes that will make a lot of food on the table, a lot of gifts for loved ones, that would mean a lot of savings in the bank, but will 'bonus' define our happiness and contentment?

Prophet Jeremiah says on Chapter 17, verses 7 to 8:

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit."

• The term blessed is used often in Psalms and Deuteronomy to describe the benefits that accrue to a person who is devoted to the Lord and His Word. 
• The imagery of a fruitful tree derives directly from Psalm 1:3. This verse teaches that a person who trust in the Lord will not be free from trials and adversity; rather God will bring fruit and blessing in and through those difficulties (Jeremiah 14:1-9, 15:19-21).
• Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought! Whoah! What a confidence! Those who trust in the Lord will not be bothered whether they receive a bonus or not. Worry has no room in their minds even if with season of long droughts.

I don't know what you are going through, but believe me I have experienced extreme heat brought by the long months of drought. Yes. That season made our food, water, and financial supply to really shrunk. But we survived by the grace of God!

I have to admit that this wasn't a good testimony. It's when I've made one of the worst decisions in my career. I left my job of more than 2 years without any back up plans, and I left during this bonus season. Can you imagine that? With the little savings I have, on I went to leave the company without thinking its consequences. And although I know this theoretically, that you should've at least 6 months of savings when you resigned just to survive for at least 2 months, I wasn't able to apply it. As a result of my disobedience, my whole household experienced the heat, contrary to the abundance brought by the 'ber' months. 

I've learned my lessons and was disciplined by God, the hard way. But it was worth it, because He disciplines those He loves. I believe that breaking seasons are preparations for breakthrough (Ptr. Alex Garcia). I hold on to His promises. I clung and continuously cling to the Lord. I enjoyed the moment of brokenness before Him. 

So if you feel like the rain of blessing isn't pouring on you right now, do not panic, do not be afraid. But put your hope and confidence in the Lord, the Owner of everything. He can provide you and your family not just 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th month pay, but instead, we can plunge and swim in the unlimited supply of His riches. Hallelujah!

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, help us to put our trust in You and not on the wealth of this world. Remind us Lord that is You who gave us the ability to produce wealth. Holy Spirit help us to be good stewards of everything God has entrusted to us. In Jesus' Name. Amen.