Did you know that some gardeners actually talk to their plants? They do it because it seems to help the plants grow! Imagine yourself saying, ‘You’re such a good plant. You really are looking beautiful today! I’m so proud of you!’ Now picture yourself talking to a plant you’re pruning and saying, ‘This hurts me more than it hurts you.’ ’Whack! ‘You’ll thank me for this afterwards!’ Whack! ‘It’s for your own good!’ Whack! Now picture the plant talking back: ‘You don’t have a heart. You hate me. I’ve worked long and hard to make those stems, leaves, and flowers you just cut off.’ Isn’t that what we say to God while He prunes us? ‘Don’t you love me? Don’t you care about me? Don’t you see what’s going on in my life right now?’ We think God is angry with us. But He isn’t angry. One of the big mistakes we make is confusing pruning with punishment. They’re not the same. God sees you as someone who can bear more fruit, someone with potential for greatness, someone He wants to use in a unique and significant way. He wants you to be as fruitful as you can possibly be, so He prunes you, even trimming off some of the things He’s been blessing in your life. Have you lost a job you loved, or a relationship you loved? God might have something much better in mind. His Word says, ‘God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished’ (Philippians 1:6 NLT). You can trust Him and believe that He’s at work in your life.
