Sometimes, we are planted in the right soil and bearing fruit, but our God-given purposes are stalled because of the things that entangle and weigh us down.
I was out in nature, and a tree caught my attention. The tree had vibrant green leaves, which all signified life. New blossoms were everywhere, a promising sign of a bountiful harvest. I observed the tree some more but noticed there were many fruits, but they were all brown. They were not meant to be brown but dark green. There was not one edible fruit present on the tree, from a tree sturdy and secured in the ground, sending out its roots.
A tree with a functional root system receiving the necessary nutrients in order to produce vibrant green leaves, uncountable blossoms and much fruit; all the fruits I spent my time observing were inedible.
The areas where fruits were present looked like trees that were dropping leaves to prepare for winter. Even though the tree was growing in rich soil, sunshine, and rain, which are ideal for growth, it was not reaching its full potential and could not produce edible fruits.
I wondered what the cause could be. After going through everything God ordained it to do, there were no edible fruits.
This tree was once a little seed. A little seed that had to go into the ground buried in utmost darkness stretching its roots for nutrients and securing them in order to become a mature tree.
I looked along the bark of the tree, and there was another plant on it, working its way from the base of the tree to the upper branches. The plant was so tightly woven on the fruit tree with similar-shaped leaves that I had to look closely to see if it was another plant.
The plant tightly woven around the fruit tree was also vibrant. It had green succulent leaves.
The plant wrapped around the fruit tree was not a plant expected to produce fruit. It was growing its way to the top of the fruit tree, sucking all its nutrients and, at the same time, crowding its roots with a blanket of leaves and competing for the sunshine that the fruit tree desperately needed to continue making food for itself.
I realized the Holy Spirit had me in the middle of a spiritual lesson.
In that moment, the Holy Spirit reminded me that we were created with everything we need to accomplish our God-given purposes. Like the seed that had all it needed to become a fruit tree, we, too, have everything knitted in us to accomplish our God-given purposes.
At times, we can be planted in the right soil or in the right season of our lives where we are meant to flourish, but there are things that weigh us down, slow us down, and prevent us from producing much fruit.
Things that will cause us to go back and work on areas that we worked on in seasons that passed.
Things that will seek to suck the spiritual life out of us.
What are some things that weigh us down? This is the question the Holy Spirit asked me.
So I ask you, Friend, what are the things that weigh you down?
- I thought of unforgiveness and holding on to past hurt when the Holy Spirit is reminding us that the will of God is to let go.
- Anger
- Bitterness
- Disobedience to the will of God, living contrary to His will.
- Repetitive sins
- Unhealthy associations with individuals. Individuals that influence us and pull us away from the will of God.
Please share in the comments some things that will spiritually weigh us down.
As I pondered the tree’s condition, I thought about the pruning process in John 15:2.
“2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
God in love will prune us so that everything in us that bears no fruit and brings no glory can be cut away. To everything in us that serves a purpose, He prunes to ensure. we can reach our full potential.
Dear Friend, let us pray for pruning and the faith to endure the pruning process.
I do not want to be positioned for purpose and entangled with things that weigh me down. I think one of the most frustrating places a person can be in life is to understand their potential and live a life that is mediocre and cannot begin to compare to what they know God has in store for them.
Pruning is painful and does not feel good, but I think it is necessary in the loving hands of our Heavenly Father.
We need our Father to cut away the things that will cause us to not live and operate in our calling.
Friend, pray for discernment.
Let us allow God to walk us through or out of the dark and barren places that will seek to suck life from us.
The fruit tree is positioned and will never be moved. If someone does not come to its rescue, eventually, the tree will continue to die a slow death. Often times we, too, choose to die a slow death and not pray or allow the Holy Spirit to come on and cut away the things that bring no glory and eventually suck the life out of us.
Friend, God’s plan is for us to prosper and reach our full potential. Let us, through obedience and faith, allow His will for our lives to materialize in this realm.
A Prayer For Us
Today I pray for us that our spiritual senses will operate at full capacity. I pray that we will see things for what they are. Father help us to walk away from anyone or anything that contradicts what your word is saying about us. Heavenly Father Your plans for us are good. Help us to trust that You are faithful and when You cut it is not to harm us, but for us to produce much fruit.
Lord help us to be obedient to Your will and Your ways for our lives. Father, remind us daily through Your word and the Holy Spirit of Your desires for us. Lord, the cutting does not feel good, but You cut away in love.
You are all-knowing. You hold times and seasons in Your hands, so when You cut help us to understand that it is not to take away but to multiply. You do not take and not restore. You do not restore like men. Your restoration is a press-down,shaken-down restoration.
I pray our spiritual eyes remain constantly open to see the works of the evil one and all works of the kingdom of darkness. Help us to be spiritually aggresive against the works of the kingdom of darkness, fighting back not with our own strength but by Your Spirit, Your blood, Your name and Your word.
Lord I pray that no evil seed dispersed by the kingdom of darkness will send roots into the soils of our lives. We pray that Your Holy Spirit fire will locate and destroy every evil seed that is seeking out to send roots into our lives. Our lives will be rich soil for the fruits of the Spirit to develop. Lord, today we choose to surrender and abide in You so no evil can befall us. We surrender complete control of our lives to You.
Lord, we pray for destiny helpers. Today, we attract in our lives people who belong to the Kingdom of Light and understand spiritual things and spiritual callings. We cancel every connection today by Your blood that will seek to suck the light out of or distract us from Your will.
We desire to be obedient. Help us to be obedient to You in all things and leave the consequences of our obedience to You.
Today, we tell You thanks that You will not leave us how we are, but You, oh God, will place our feet in spacious places. You will train our hands for war.
Amen
I hope these words of encouragement are helpful for you or someone you know.
You know I love hearing from you. Feel free to send me a message at any time.
Thinking out loud Because life is better shared!
Kimberlee
Great article! I think fear can weigh us down and hinder us from our full God given purpose.
Thank you Richlynn. You are so right I will be adding this one to the list. Thank you for sharing. I know what it feels like to be gripped by fear! Our Heavenly Father is so faithful and He will walk us through or take us out of the places we feel we will never make it out of. Thanks for being here and God bless you always.
This was a beautiful reminder to evaluate our hearts and allow God to deal with those areas where we need pruning. I know speaking negatively about situations is holding me down. The word of God says death and life are in the power of the tongue. I definitely need to purpose to speak life and not death. Thank you for the beautifully written post.
You are so much Keishawana. Oh yes! I am learning the very same friend. He prunes so we can produce much fruit so we can trust Him. Thanks for being so open and sharing. The negative talk is something I do too at times. Especially when I endure a season I do not want to be in. I am allowing the Holy Spirit to work in this area of my life as well. There is indeed life and death in the power of our tongues. The good thing about our Heavenly Father is that He is so patient with us as we mature. Thanks for being here Friend! Gods bless you always.
Dear Kimberlee, thank you for sending this to me. It’s so very good. The analogy of God pruning, shaping our hearts, restoring us. I have been going through this with Him for a few years. Now in a very diverse community, where I have always felt lead, letting Him lead me as myself. So many need to know Him and only Him. Too many are dabbling in a “spiritual new age religion” that is very concerning and confusing. The world needs Jesus so bad.
I just had emergency gallbladder surgery that I believe is a result of the way I carried stress for years (good and bad stress). Now that my desires have grown more to speak of His love, tell my stories, etc, the battle is real. But now, as decently healthy as I have been from the outside, God has me exactly where He needs me. To begin again with an even better diet and more focus on this great pruning He is doing.
I’ve been home for a day and on my second day this morning. Your piece was God given. Thank you friend. oxox
You are so welcome Friend! Oh yes they do! You are right so right! The world needs Jesus now more than ever! I am so happy your surgery was a successful one.
The way we carry stress is life altering. I was telling someone today that I would stuff everything inside in the past but God is teaching me in this season, that I must handle things differently in His love.
I know the kingdom of darkness does not want individuals hearing about the love of God, so I know the battle is sooo real!
No matter what season we are in He is indeed in control! Sometimes where He places us is so uncomfortable but He is sovereign and will work all things for our good!
I pray for speedy recovery on your part friend and will keep you in my prayers. Thanks for always supporting and encouraging me friend.
It truly is “life altering” the way we carry stress! Sometimes it’s a trigger we can’t control, so more meditation/prayer. At least I am in a very good and peaceful place. I’m glad God is working on you as well. You have such a beautiful heart. The world has always been in a great spiritual battle. We are living through times where it feels more intense. He is drawing near to us to trust Him in all things. He does place us in hard places and I am trusting it’s for His plan. We need to find ways to share our love of Jesus with everyone!
Thank you for your well wishes! I am blessed to have our three rescue pets by my side and John is helping with food and things. It’s quite a bit of pain but should turn a corner in a few days. Thank you for supporting me as well and for your kind encouragement! I am being lead to reach a very diverse community. God is doing a good work with that. oxox
Oh yes! This is so true! I am learning that I will need to live on my knees to navigate this life! Thank you so much friend. You do too!
It does feel more intense! I am learning in the season I am currently in that I have no choice but to trust Him! I am finding peace in the fact that He is faithful.
His love is what makes a difference!
You are so welcome Friend.
You continue to do just that. I am watching and admiring how you are allowing your Heavenly Father to use you.💕💕💕