Dive into the transformative metaphor of pruning, where challenges become stepping stones to spiritual growth. Explore the painful yet beautiful process of God’s loving hand in our lives, shaping us through loss and hardship. With wisdom from C.S. Lewis and early church thinkers, discover how these experiences unveil our true identities and deepen our connection with the divine. Uncover how even everyday frustrations can serve as divine invitations to nurture a richer, more fulfilling life.
14:10
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Embrace Pruning Amid Trouble
When facing trouble, remember that God prunes us like a gardener prunes a vine.
Embrace pruning as a process that cuts away what is unfruitful to help you bear lasting spiritual fruit.
insights INSIGHT
We Are God's Masterpiece
All experiences, good or bad, shape us as God's divine work of art.
God lovingly persists in molding us to become His masterpiece, even through hardship.
insights INSIGHT
Abundant Spiritual Fruitfulness
God intends for believers to bear abundant, overflowing fruit spiritually.
This abundant fruitfulness involves much pruning and hardship, a sign of God’s deep love and careful work.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
In 'The Problem of Pain', C.S. Lewis addresses the age-old question of how a good and all-powerful God can permit pain and suffering. Lewis argues that human suffering is a consequence of the existence of evil and free will, and that God uses suffering as a tool to draw us nearer to Him. He categorizes pain as both physical and emotional, serving as a warning signal that alerts us to potential harm and compels us to make necessary changes. Lewis also discusses the Fall of Man and how it led to chaos and disaster, emphasizing that God's goodness is not negated by suffering but rather evidenced through His merciful intervention. The book concludes by reassuring that God's wisdom is infinitely superior to ours and that pain eventually leads us back to a loving relationship with our Creator[2][3][4].
D.A. Carson's commentary on the Gospel of John
D.A. Carson's commentary on the Gospel of John
D. A. Carson
The word for today is: Pruning. In today’s episode, John Ortberg invites us into a deep and honest reflection on what it means to live with an untroubled heart—even in a troubled world. Joined by Susie Lipps, he explores Jesus’ words from John 15: “I am the true vine… and my Father is the gardener.” Together, they unpack the spiritual practice and painful beauty of pruning—how God lovingly cuts away what is unnecessary so we can bear real, lasting fruit. With wisdom from C.S. Lewis, Dale Bruner, and ancient voices like Irenaeus, this teaching reframes hardship, loss, and frustration as invitations to deeper growth. Whether it’s traffic delays or soul-level disappointment, this episode will help you see where God may be shaping you through it all.
Join the conversation in our FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/
Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time.
John's new book STEPS is out! Check it out here: https://becomenew.com/steps/ Want to work the steps with a friend or small group? Visit: DoTheSteps.com
📧 Subscribe for daily emails with these videos and accompanying thoughts: https://bit.ly/46AZ0rN 🙏🏻 Need prayer? Text us at 855-888-0444, we would love to pray for you! 🙌🏻 Interested in content for leaders? Subscribe to Become New for Leaders: https://bit.ly/3PH4FWn
Be sure to join our Facebook Group (link below) to continue the conversation and don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel BecomeNew.Me and say hello 👋 in the comments. And make sure you tap the bell icon 🔔 to be notified when the next episode releases.
CONNECT WITH US AT: 😊 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🎙Podcast: https://becomenew.buzzsprout.com 🤳Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ 📲 For daily alerts, text the word BECOME to the number 855-888-0444
Become New with John Ortberg 