Romans 5:3-5 ³ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. ⁴ And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.⁵ And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Dear God, I live in an area that grows a lot of peaches and grapes. I’ve learned a couple of things about the needs of these fruits that were counterintuitive to me. Too much water is not good for them, and they need stress as they grow to make their fruit sweeter. Peaches, while they can be hurt by a late freeze, need X number of hours of below freezing over the winter in order to produce good fruit.

So what would a life with too much water and no stress look like? For example, take a child and meet every one of her needs immediately as she has them. Give her supportive friends who never turn on her or betray her. Give her perfect parents. Give her no need for money because everything she desires is instantly provided. What kind of person will that create?

So why do we pray that our trials will be removed? Why do we pray for others that their lives will be easy? Why do we clamor for Joel Osteen’s message of our best life now? We know what too easy of a life will do to us, but we pursue it because our nature is to selfishly serve ourselves.

Father, frankly, lately I have felt like my path is too easy. And as I start this month of sabbatical (Sabbath) from work, I willingly submit myself to the process you have for me now and after. Do with me what you will. Do with my children what you will. Use the strain in their lives to crush any weeds and vines that are growing and develop and nurture the seeds that have been planted over the years that are of you. Create great and wonderful fruit in them so that they will live at peace in the center of your heart.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen