The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground. (From a Norman Rockwell calendar)
An acorn may not have had any ability to determine its future, but we do. The nut was safely buried in the soil, but when a sprout emerged and began to grow, it experienced all kinds of opposition like storms, wind, hungry predators, fires, and more, no doubt. The acorn was defenseless, but we can be alert to dangers and hold our ground to grow and be productive.
Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. (Revelation 3:10)