I asked you to read Isaiah 11 a few days ago, and you may recall that in that section, Jesus was referred to as a shoot that grew from the stump of Jesse. Several times in the Bible, the word “stump” is used to indicate anything that is dead but will be restored, such as God’s people and the arrival of their Messiah. Because a stump retains its roots, it is always capable of regrowth and rebirth; but, it must remain planted!

Perhaps you believe you’re a stump and that you’ve been hacked down. You perceive your life as a useless form sticking out of the earth for others to stumble over as a shadow of your previous self. However, you must remember that you are a part of something bigger than yourself in these times! Although a stump will never be the fully blossoming tree it once was, because it is alive, it can sprout new life! God is capable of restoring anything that appears to be beyond repair, including bringing forth a shoot from a life that appears to be all but dead. And who knows, maybe that shoot will make a difference in the world! Oh, and don’t mistake being pruned with being cut down. A tree that has been cut down will not recover its complete form, but a tree that has been pruned will! Despite the fact that it is unsightly and appears beaten and dead, it is more alive and ready to give fruit than it has ever been.

Friend, this is you. You are not cut down permanently, even if you feel like a stump, because you are a part of something far bigger than yourself! You may be going through some severe pruning, whether by God’s hand or through the agony of Satanic attack, but it’s only for a short time. Remember that in order for fresh life to take root, you must shed a few branches. In other words, you must persevere through the bleakness of winter in order to enjoy an abundant spring. So, child of seasons, embrace your winters and stop staring at the gloom that surrounds you. Speak into the night and declare that with God, nothing is impossible! Believe it and trust that your brightest and warmest days are always ahead when you put your faith in Jesus!