What's Not So Painful About Pruning

By Kaley Thompson

When something is cut out of our life - a relationship, addiction, dream, desire- it hurts.  People call this a “pruning season.”  And when this happens, we tend to think God isn't near because life is really hard and something we care about or think we need is being separated from us.

While “pruning” is painful, John 15:2 let's us in on a secret about the process. It says, "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit."  So, when God goes to prune He's actually bending down to our branches, holding onto us, and cutting away what’s keeping us from flourishing.

Here’s the deal. While you may think God doesn’t care and is just allowing this pain as a punishment for your mistakes. He’s actually so close that His hand is on your life, He loves you enough to take away what’s holding you back and your pain has great purpose.

Find out more about the good things God has up His sleeve for your story in our new Wonderlife workbook. 

Kaley Thompson is the chief storyteller at People of the Second Chance. She lives in Charlotte, NC and wears a sparkly motorcycle helmet.