Finding Purpose in the Pruning: What Fall Teaches Us About God’s Timing
Lately, I’ve been craving quiet and grounding that make me feel like myself again. That’s how my daily walks began. At first, they were just a way to get outside and clear my mind, but somewhere between the changing leaves and cool air, I realized how much everything, inside and around me, has been shifting.
The air feels cooler. The days are shorter. The trees that were full and green just weeks ago are now turning shades of gold and red. There’s something about fall that feels comforting. Everything slows down a little, yet somehow it all feels like it’s moving forward too.
Recently, as I watched the leaves fall one by one, I couldn’t help but think about how similar we are to the trees. Sometimes God allows certain things in our lives to fall away, not to leave us empty, but to prepare us for what’s next.
This year especially, I’ve felt that. I’ve walked through seasons that didn’t make sense at first. Things I thought I needed suddenly fell away, and it was uncomfortable. But looking back, I can see how God was pruning me, removing what wasn’t meant to stay so I could grow in the right direction. And to be completely honest I’m still wrestling with all of the surrender.
In John 15:2, Jesus says, “Every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” Pruning isn’t easy. It means letting go of something that once felt good or familiar. But it’s never about loss. It’s about making space for something better.
Maybe that’s where you are too. Maybe God is asking you to release something you’ve been holding tightly to. A plan, a timeline, a relationship, or even a version of yourself you’ve outgrown. It might not look like growth right now, but that’s exactly what’s happening beneath the surface. God is deepening your roots, strengthening your faith, and preparing you to bloom again when the time is right.
Fall reminds us that letting go isn’t the end. It’s the start of something new. The trees don’t resist the change. They trust it. And maybe that’s what God is inviting you to do too.
If you’re in a pruning season, take a deep breath. You’re not behind. You’re being refined in the fire. You’re being made ready for the beauty that’s coming next season. Winter always comes before spring.
Pruning isn’t punishment. It’s preparation.
So light that candle, grab a cozy blanket, and let yourself rest in the knowing that you’re right where God wants you to be. He’s working even when you can’t see it, and the fruit of this season will be worth the wait.
Take a moment to reflect today:
• What might God be pruning in me right now?
• Where is He asking me to let go and trust Him more?
• How can I stay rooted in His presence this week?
You’re not falling apart. You’re being formed.
And just like the trees, you’ll bloom again.
