A PURPOSE IN THE PRUNING

prune- trim (a tree, shrub, or bush) by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to increase fruitfulness and growth.

When I was younger, I once had someone tell me that there is a purpose for suffering. To a middle school girl that quite literally made no sense to me. How could bad things result in good? Why can’t everything just be easy and happy? When I started asking those questions is when I heard an example about pruning…

Pruning is an important step for the growth of a plant. Gardeners will strip the plant of any unnecessary or harmful things, so that it may yield more fruit and improve the quality of the plant. Sometimes that is what God does to us. He takes us through a season of pruning for a greater purpose.

Pruning looks different for everyone. Whether you are suffering a loss of finances, opportunity, reputation, or even another person, I want to encourage you that the Bible says that there is a reason for it all. James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”.

Pruning also reminds us what it is that actually makes the branches bear fruit… the vine. When suffering comes, it strips us of our pride and independence and reminds us how much we need the Lord. It can be used to refocus our hearts on abiding in the Lord and drawing nearer to Him. When we go through hard times, we must remember the source of our fruitfulness a.k.a. God! John 15:7-8 tells us, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

My prayer for you is that you can rest in the truth that the Lord has a purpose for whatever trial you may be going through right now. Stay close to Him, even in the suffering. Think about any of your past seasons of pruning… Can you see how the Lord was growing you through that and using it for a higher purpose? Give thanks to Him for that!