Sometimes we may go through times of trials and challenges, and we think it is all negative and the end of everything. In reality, challenging times are what make us grow and mature. Impasses can be used as steppingstones for us to rise to a higher level. It seems like the whole world is going through a big transition, and it is a great time to wait on the Lord, make a personal evaluation and assessment of where we are and where we are going. “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” (John 15:2). The pruning that happens in our lives is to produce more fruit. Sometimes we spend a lot of our time and energy in areas that will not be as effective in producing in our hearts and spirits the fruit that God is looking for.
We must always remember that the Father does not want any one of us to get lost in the crowd. He is looking for a personal and special relationship with each one of us, and the pruning that happens in our lives is to remove the things that keep us from growing in this personal relationship with the Father. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Even before we decided to seek the Lord, He already had a plan to reach out to each one of us.
Take this time as a blessing from the Father, let the Holy Spirit show you the areas that need work in your life, in your heart, and in your spirit. The Holy Spirit was sent to be our Helper, our teacher, and to prepare us to be a living temple. This is a time of preparation for the outpouring, for the blessings and for the new things that God is doing. Be prepared to be a blessing to others. “Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4, NET).
Exodus 31:3, 5; 35:31, 34; 36:1
Ephesians 3:14-21
John 14:16-17, 23, 26
1 Peter 5:10
James 4:3
Haggai 1:6
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
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