The first instinct is to cut them off, but…this…
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:43-44 NIV
Amigo… Enemigo…
Plants
Scarlet
“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 NIV
Hellebores
This flower endures even in cold temperatures.
“For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.”
Romans 15:4 BSB
Pain & Mary Jane
Mary Jane is not there to help you, but to destroy you.
“Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 BSB
Wisdom
“If you seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
And find the knowledge of God.
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;”
Proverbs 2:4-7 NKJV
Steadfast
As sure as the leaves fall, trials are inevitable, but it’s only for a season.
“Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.”
Psalm 55:22 NASB
Rain
“Drip down, O heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open up that salvation may sprout and righteousness spring up with it; I, the LORD, have created it.”
Isaiah 45:8 BSB
Fate
Justice comes at the appointed time.
“The LORD works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster.”
Proverbs 16:4 NIV
The Orchard
We all long for good fruit.
“So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.”
1 Corinthians 3:7-8 BSB
Life Source
How does one remain in Him? By clinging to His Word.
“Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.”
John 15:4 BSB