The Divine Gardner - J.C. Ryle

"Every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit!" John 15:2 

The Father is ever training the members of this family for their everlasting abode with Him in Heaven. He acts as a gardener pruning his vines, that they may bear more fruit. He know the character of each of us . . .
  our besetting sins,
  our weaknesses,
  our peculiar infirmities,
  our special needs, 
  our trials, 
  our temptations, 
  and our privileges. 

He knows all these things, and is ever ordering all for our good. He allots to each of us, in His providence, the very things we need, in order to bear the most fruit. He gives us . . .
  as much of sunshine as we can stand--and as much of rain;
  as much of bitter things as we can bear--and as much of sweet.

Trials are intended . . .
  to make us think,
  to wean us from the world,
  to send us to the Bible, and
  to drive us to our knees!

"The Christian grows by tears--and withers by smiles. God's vines thrive the better for pruning." (Stephen Charnock)