If you’ve ever questioned God because of your pain, listen to what Jesus said in John 15: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (verses 1,2). 

If branches could talk, I imagine they would accuse gardeners of assault. Gardeners snip and chop and take away, leaving branches with open wounds. But Jesus reminds us what every good gardener knows—that pruning produces more fruit. In fact, a friend of mine who owns a vineyard says that the biggest mistake grape growers make is not pruning their vines enough!

That’s essential to remember when suffering leaves you confused. If God’s goal for you is the “fruit” of faith, pruning makes complete sense. Sometimes if all you have is success, you end up arrogant. Sometimes if you’ve never suffered, it’s hard to feel compassion or sympathy for people in pain. Sometimes you have to go through the fire before you have something valuable to say to people who are in the fire. 

So even if you can’t see the fruit just yet, don’t be confused by your pain. God is pruning you, not punishing you, taking away your health, your dreams, your plans for the future for the sake of a greater future. In all things God is working for your good. Believe that and you won’t be confused. You’ll be more fruitful than ever before.