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. John 15:2


No matter how complicated the problem seems, the answer is always simple. God is indeed "not the author of confusion, but of peace" (2 Corrinthians 14:35). I had been forewarned when I first came to Christ that there would be a season in my walk in which I wouldn't feel as though I was bearing any fruit. A time when I wouldn't feel God's presence as keenly and that it wasn't a reflection of me as a Christian, that it was actually a good thing. "The sacrifice of God is a broken heart, and a broken spirit" (Psalm 51:17). I've given God many "offerings" such as old passions, issues from my past, and other worldly things and it was all necessary. However, I still felt like there was something that He was taking from me. I woke up without my joy and I immediately thought there was something I was doing wrong. I would find solace here and there in His word and prayer but I couldn't shake this feeling. I realized that God wants us broken so that His strength will be all that we would lean on, for His power "is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corrinthians 12:9). I cried out that if I had to feel this way for every day of the rest of my life then so be it. If that is what it takes to be His instrument then so be it. He has saved me from an empty life that would have ended up in inevitable destruction and I never want to turn from Him again. I love Him that much, and He loves me to an infinitely higher degree. As I prayed to Him (before I put it all together) alone in my room I kept asking Him why I had to feel this way. I prayed every prayer I could think of, I did everything, so I had thought. Later, at prayer that night, because He is faithful, He answered me through Ben (if you're reading this, thank you so much for sharing that scripture, brother) who read the passage quoted at the top. I felt the words speak to my heart like only the words of my heavenly Father can. I dropped to my knees and did the only thing I had not done in my room: I thanked Him. He shows me more and more each day that this is about Him and not me and that is where the glory is. I want to go on about all the messages He has put on my heart that culminated last night but I can only say that my praises cannot encompass His greatness. To try and describe His holiness is far, far beyond the limits of my expression. That doesn't I mean I won't give it my best shot, I plan to on Tuesday. Praise Jesus.