Imagine a majestic oak tree standing tall in the middle of a wide, windy plain. Above ground, its branches sway, leaves rustle, and storms beat relentlessly against its trunk. But deep beneath the surface, completely hidden from human sight, its massive root system stretches out into the quiet earth, drawing up life-giving water and anchoring the tree so firmly that even the fiercest gale cannot pull it down. In our active addiction, our lives were spent reacting to every single storm, running on high alert, and chasing constant noise and distraction. We lived entirely on the chaotic surface, easily knocked down by the smallest breeze of stress or temptation. Seeking to improve our conscious contact with God through prayer and meditation is how we cultivate those deep, invisible roots. When we intentionally step away from the noise, quiet our rushing thoughts, and sit in divine stillness, we tap into a supernatural reservoir of strength that keeps us unshakeable regardless of what swirls around us. | 
