What comes to your mind when you think of spiritual “pruning”? Is pruning always an affliction or a trial we face in order to cause growth? Does it have to be a huge disaster or tragedy in order to cause something to be removed from our life? 

Many times, yes. However, I also believe that pruning can take the form of a change in decision, the shifting of a responsibility, the removal of a job, or the stepping away from an area or thing you felt God leading you to only months before. Each of those things represent a change in direction and change can be difficult, sometimes even painful. However, I don’t think to be pruned by God we always suffer in the literal, physical sense.

Right now, I’m coming to a decision. I don’t want to have to make this choice, but I feel I need to in order to grow and move in the direction God wants me to. I admit I feel some trepidation and inner turmoil about it. I also feel disappointed that the direction I was headed is not where God is leading me now. This must be pruning as it is uncomfortable and I’m feeling a bit sour about it. 

In John 15, one of my favorite passages in the Bible, Jesus compares our connection with Him to that of the branches in a vineyard connected to the vine. He tells us that our Father is the Gardener who faithfully tends His garden and cuts off every branch that isn’t fruitful. But then, Jesus goes a step further. He teaches that the Gardener will prune even the fruitful branches in order that they bear more fruit, better fruit!

I have been growing and learning and sharing and teaching. I have been remaining connected to Him through His word, prayer, worship and service. I thought I was producing good fruit, and I suppose I have been. But, it appears God wants me to produce even better fruit.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:1-2)

God seems to be leading and encouraging me to remove something from my life, to shift a direction, in order to make room for something better! What He is leading me away from is not a bad thing, but it is not what He has chosen for me at this time. 

I think I need to look at this interesting pruning process from a different angle. I need to be grateful and not disappointed or even anxious about this decision I need to make. For, if God wants me to produce even better fruit in and through my life than I have been, well, that’s a pretty exciting prospect! I need to embrace this change and not be a sour grape about it (pun intended!) 

I would much rather produce bunches and bunches of juicy sweet grapes than a single shriveled raisin, wouldn’t you?

Abiding in Him,


13 Comments

  1. The pruning process is not an easy one, especially when it entails the removing of something we may not want removed. Yet when I release my hold, letting God do as He deems best, in time I discover it not only produced more, it was for my good. Thank you for confirming my early morning reading of Romans 5:3-5 :) Blessings!

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    1. I so agree! Letting go can be hard, but that release to His will is always for the best! Thanks for stopping by, Joanne!

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  2. The pruning process is never an easy one, especially when it entails the removal of something we may not necessarily want removed. But I have found when I just submit to God, letting Him remove as He wills, it not only leads to more, it is always for my good. Thank you for confirming my early morning reading of Romans 5:3-5 :) Blessings!

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  3. Wow! Jo, I know I have looked at pruning from the standpoint of it being a way for God to remove some dead branches from our lives, but I do believe that pruning can also be to produce more fruit. It's what I do every year to my roses. I prune them back, almost severely, so that the following season's roses are full, beautiful, and free of insects.
    I think your deduction about change from God as a type of pruning process is wise. Change is difficult, even when it's good. But to know that God is changing our course to produce better fruit in us turns that difficult situation into a blessing. Thank you for this!
    Blessings, Janis

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    1. I love roses! That is a beautiful analogy about the pruning process with them! Amazingly, they do seem to thrive from a severe pruning! I did come to the decision I had been mulling over and have made the change... Now I am praying and waiting to see what God is going to do! One thing I can always count on is that God is good -- ALL THE TIME! Thanks for stopping by!
      Blessings, Jo

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  4. Wonderful post, Jo. It's only been in the last few years that I have gained enough confidence to prune shrubs in my flowerbeds severely. Not only to cut out dead growth, but to stimulate greater growth. It's so comforting to remember that the Master Gardener knows exactly what kind of pruning we need and feels no trepidation about making those cuts because He knows what the end result will be.

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    1. You are so right -- we can trust God to prune us exactly the way we need. He knows the outcome and what is for the best. Thanks for dropping by, Lois! Blessings!

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  5. I like your attitude about God's change in direction. I think it's OK to grieve a bit about a change, but there is also a lot of hope and we can expect God will do good and even exciting things in a change of direction. Blessings to you as you trust!

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    1. Thanks, Amy! Hope is what keeps us going, especially when there is change happening in our lives. I'm so thankful that I can trust God's plan over my own! Blessings!

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  6. Jo ... ouch, His pruning often hurts. But oh how we need to be re-aligned with His will and prepared for the days ahead. Thank you for the hopeful joy you're giving this sometimes unsettling season.

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    1. Oh yes! I think I often need a daily re-alignment! I'm so glad that God is my Chiropractor! LOL

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  7. I agree that pruning is not fun or what we usually choose. In fact, I have been known to kick and scream a little when that happens. I pray this next season of your life is exactly what it needs to be.

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    1. I think I "kick and scream" quite well! But, I can always trust that God's plan is the best one! Even now, just a few days after I've written this post, I am comforted by Him and know that the decision I didn't want to make, but did, was the right one!

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