A Day-by-day devotional

April 27, 2023

When God prunes you

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Psalm 63-65

Scripture of the Day: John 15:2

Have you ever wallowed in sorrow over the loss of a friend, partner or somebody in life who is important to you? I don’t, however, mean mourning due to physical loss, when death takes them away. What I do mean, is when, you and they part ways or grow apart.

Even though this type of loss is not the same as when someone passes away, the intensity and depth of pain is the same. We mourn the loss of a loved one, whether due to death, or due to choice.

Apart from losing people though, one could also suffer the loss of a job, opportunity, stature, finances or possessions. Even though the suffering linked to this kind of loss may be less impactful than the emotional toil that losing a person brings, it could still render one incapacitated for a period of time.

Loss apart from death, is a primary indicator in the lives of believers that they are in the season of pruning. Pruning is not evident at first. Oftentimes, it is only understood to be so, when what was to be pruned has already been taken away.

There are times when we are in toxic relationships. Although we may not realize it, the relationship hinders our growth as a believer. When our growth is stunted, our ability to bear fruit is also affected. Hence, in order to make us grow and be fruitful again, God prunes us. In pruning, the undesirable part is cut off to produce more fruit. The part that stunts our growth is removed. We lose the person through a break-up, or a falling away.

During the process of pruning when we are in pain, it is difficult to understand what God is doing. It is even possible to harbor anger towards God at such a trying time in life. We blame God for the suffering we have to endure. Most of the time, however, at the very end of it, we would come to realize that what God allowed to happen actually did us more good than harm.

To keep our spiritual lives healthy, the Lord ensures that we get to meet the requirements for growth. If there is a rotting or unhealthy part, it is severed, to rescue the remaining healthy part. Otherwise, the healthy part can be contaminated by the unhealthy.

Reflection: Before becoming angry at God over the loss of unhealthy relationships, look at the relationship itself first. Through that, you most probably realize what God is saving you from.

Prayer: Father, a season of pruning always hurts. Nevertheless, it enables me to depend more on you. Thank you for always ensuring that I am capable of bearing much fruit. Amen.