Pruning: How to overcome periods of crisis

If you see periods of crisis as something to be avoided at all costs, this post is for you. And if you have already learned that the crisis is the greatest opportunity for personal development, strengthening you and enabling you to glorify the Lord, the exercise that I share here will certainly help you to take better advantage of this process.

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In the Gospel of John, chapter 15, Jesus talks about him being the true vine, and the Father the vinedresser. In this metaphor, his disciples are the branches. Those that do not bear fruit are cut and thrown away. But those who bear fruit are cleansed to become more vigorous and fruitful.

This pruning process is, therefore, experienced by all those who are staying in Jesus and living for the Father’s glory. Even so, or exactly for this reason, the Father personally performs the pruning. See the original term used in the Gospel and a little more about how to identify and overcome pruning:

Gr. Kathairei (Verb. Present indicative. 3rd person. Singular): to cleanse, purify, prune. Figuratively, to expiate.

Pruning by the Good Vinedresser

The Father is good. Everything He does is good.

If after a great advance in your life, you are in the midst of a period of extreme difficulty, no one can help you, the pain is great, and you don’t know what to do, you are certainly going through a pruning process.

Have no fear. There is nothing wrong with you. Don’t think this crisis is result of any mistake or punishment. You are in the hands of the Good Vinedresser!

He is doing each pruning assertively with purpose and love. It hurts. But you will be fine. Believe it because all of this will result in greater blessings for your life and all those around you.

Now, let’s do an exercise to help you through this crisis period successfully.

Pruning Focus Benefits

This exercise will guarantee you the following benefits during the pruning process:

1. Receive peace immediately, when you give thanks to the Good Vinedresser as it is written in Philippians 4:4-7;
2. Shorten the pruning process by focusing on the branches being cleaned, as written in Philippians 4: 8-9

Pruning Worksheet

So take paper and a pen, or your favorite notepad. List the top 10 branches that are being pruned from your life:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what those branches are, areas of your life where you have noticed losses and adjustments;
2. Write down: a word for each identified branch, a related Bible verse, and also an action in response to the verse;
3. Put each chosen action into practice consistently;
4. Pray daily on that list with thanksgiving to the Lord;
5. Rest in the Lord enjoying peace in your mind and heart.

Conclusion

When you notice that You are going through a crisis and that can be a blessing to your life, believe that the Lord will turn everything for your good. He will use your enemies to promote you. All you need to do is to rest in Him. Once you have identified that you are being intentionally cared by the Good Vinedresser, trust your life in His hands and let Him make you a more fruitful branch for your own satisfaction and His glory.

Prayer: Father, Thank you for You are good and You only do good. I agree with your hands over me to prune everything that is keeping me to glorify You more and more. Help me to be strengthened and become closer to You during next these days. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

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What is the Holy Spirit saying to you?
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