
Los Angeles Lakers center Trey Jemison recently took to Instagram to share an inspiring message about faith, perseverance, and the power of staying rooted in God. His heartfelt words served as a reminder that the enemy often attacks in the early stages, but God has greater blessings in store for those who remain steadfast.
Jemison began his video by reflecting on a moment of gratitude during a late-night walk. “Last night, I was walking home, and I was just giving God thanks for all He’s done in my life and all He continues to do,” he shared. During that quiet moment, God placed a powerful memory in his heart—one that nearly changed the trajectory of his journey.
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Jemison recounted a time when he was on the verge of giving up—not just on his dreams but also on leading Bible studies. It was then that God sent a woman named Karen Malone into his life with an unforgettable message: “The devil isn’t worried about you right now; he’s worried about your future.”
This statement resonated deeply with Jemison, who tied it back to John 10:10, a verse that highlights the enemy’s intent to steal, kill, and destroy—but also Jesus’ promise of abundant life:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”
Drawing a powerful analogy, Jemison compared early struggles to a seed trying to take root. “It’s easy to kill something when it’s in seed form,” he explained. “If you’ve ever planted a garden, you know you can just pull a seedling out of the ground easily. But when you have a big old oak tree, it’s much harder to take down. You have to call in a whole team to cut it in pieces.”
He emphasized that the enemy tries to discourage believers early in their faith journey because he knows that if they quit in the beginning, they’ll never grow into the strong, unshakable people God created them to be.
“If you quit right now, in the beginning stages, you’ll never get to the big blessing and the big miracle God has for you,” Jemison encouraged. “But if you keep standing in your faith, keep chasing after God, keep studying His Word, and surrender your life to Him, then when the storms come, you won’t be shaken.”
His message serves as a powerful encouragement for Christians who may be facing challenges or doubts. Just like an oak tree with deep roots, faith becomes stronger the longer it is nurtured. Jemison’s testimony reminds us that no matter how many obstacles arise, God’s blessings are on the other side of perseverance.
For anyone struggling with doubt or discouragement, Jemison’s words are a call to keep pushing forward in faith—because the enemy isn’t afraid of where you are now but of where God is taking you.
“Stand firm, grow deep roots, and trust that God’s plan for you is greater than you can imagine.”