Recently, my focus turned to my spring garden. With packets of seeds in my hand and a hand shovel, I envisioned delicate daisies, vibrant wildflowers, and perfectly unfurled ferns. Some days, I would lose myself in the intricate details of each emerging petal. Then came the shock. What I believed was a budding spring flower was nothing more than a worthless weed in disguise! Disbelief washed over me as I shook my head. “Where did you even come from?” I murmured. In that moment, the Holy Spirit spoke, His voice gentle yet powerful. “Just like your heart, daughter,” He whispered, “it happens the same way.” The “it”? Those subtle distractions that pull me away. Things that somehow take root in my heart, keeping me from a closer walk with Jesus.
Haven’t we all experienced this? We diligently tend the garden of our hearts. We plant seeds of faith, hope, and love. Our vision is a flourishing space, alive with the fruits of the Spirit. But then, we spot them. The unwelcome intruders. The persistent weeds that seem to sprout despite our best efforts. These are not the beautiful blooms we anticipated. Instead, they manifest as anxieties and worries. They appear as persistent temptations and ingrained habits that stifle our growth. It’s the inner critic whispering negativity. It’s the external pressures pulling us from God’s intended path.
Consider the parable of the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13. It vividly illustrates how the enemy often sows seeds of doubt, discord, and difficulty, even in the most fertile ground. And while Matthew 16 doesn’t explicitly mention weeds, the context of Peter’s struggle to grasp Jesus’s impending suffering reveals a crucial truth. Even those closest to God, individuals with the purest intentions, can be susceptible to worldly thinking. This thinking can choke out spiritual understanding. Peter, in his human desire to redirect Jesus, inadvertently became a voice of opposition, a “stumbling block” (Matthew 16:23)—an uninvited weed in God’s divine plan.
This truth resonates deeply within our own journeys. We strive for spiritual maturity. Yet, we so often find ourselves battling internal “weeds.” Sproutings of pride, insecurity, worry, or fear. We also encounter external “weeds.” These might take the form of challenging relationships, difficult circumstances, or the alluring pull of worldly distractions. These weeds can feel overwhelming. They threaten to suffocate the very life of our spiritual growth.
But take heart, my dear companions in Christ. The presence of weeds does not signify a lost garden. Instead, it signifies our active participation, through God’s Holy Spirit, in His ongoing work of cultivation. The Apostle Paul, a man intimately acquainted with relentless trials and inner struggles, declared with unwavering conviction: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39, ESV). This powerful truth reminds us that even amidst the weeds, God’s unwavering love remains. It is our constant source of strength and hope. His love provides security, safety, connection, and purpose.
So, how do we deal with these persistent weeds? One vital tool in our spiritual gardening kit is the power of prayer, especially when it intertwines with praise. Praise is more than mere gratitude for blessings received. It is an active acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty. It recognizes His goodness and His unfailing love, even amidst our struggles. When we begin our prayers with heartfelt praise, our focus shifts. It moves from the weeds to the Gardener. We acknowledge His power to work in and through our challenges.
Praising God in the face of difficulty is like spraying (very carefully) the homemade mixture of vinegar, soap, and salt on those unwanted weeds. It exposes their powerlessness against His glory, effectively killing their roots. Simultaneously, it strengthens our faith. It reminds us that He is far bigger than any obstacle we face. This cultivates an attitude of dependence on Him, preventing us from being consumed by the problem itself. As we consistently offer praise, our prayers transform. They become more than just requests. They become powerful declarations of faith, aligning our hearts with God’s will and inviting His transformative power into our lives.
So what about those weeds that grow without permission? My sisters, do not be discouraged by the weeds in your garden. They serve as a reminder that growth is a process, not a destination. Embrace the ongoing work of tending your hearts with prayer. Let it be deeply rooted in unwavering praise. Remember the steadfast love of God that surrounds you. No weed, no struggle, can ever sever that bond. Continue to cultivate your faith. Know that with God’s help, your garden will not only survive but flourish. It will bear abundant blossoms and fruit for His glory. Keep digging, keep praying, keep praising. Watch as the Master Gardener transforms your challenges into a channel for deeper growth and unwavering faith.
Living Life's Way 