God Reaps His Richest Harvest in the Desert
We often believe that only after our pain is gone can we truly accomplish something meaningful for God. We imagine that once the storm has passed and the wounds have healed, then—and only then—we can give thanks, rejoice, and bear spiritual fruit. Yet the Bible tells a different story. Again and again, God works in the very midst of our suffering, and his purposes are not always tied to removing our pain. Even when the thorn remains, God still works in us and through us to glorify himself (2 Corinthians 12:9–10).
Why We Wait for Healing Before Serving God
When hardship strikes, we often think in one of three ways:
We believe the goal of suffering is always healing.
Many assume that problems must be solved before we can move forward. But in God’s kingdom, trials often serve as the very tools he uses to sanctify us (James 1:2–4).We view suffering with a short-term lens.
Our perspective is bound by the present moment. We forget that God’s eternal plan stretches from before creation to the new heavens and new earth (Isaiah 46:10; Revelation 21:1–5).We interpret God’s plan as purely individual.
While God has personal purposes for each believer, his plans are also corporate—designed to build his church and extend his kingdom. Your trial may be his chosen means to bless your family, congregation, and even nations (Philippians 1:12–14).
David’s Wilderness Years: Suffering as God’s Training Ground
Consider David’s story. We admire him as the shepherd boy who defeated Goliath, won military victories, and became Israel’s beloved king. From his line came the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1). Yet before David wore the crown, he endured years in the wilderness. For more than a decade, King Saul sought his life. David was betrayed, hunted, and forced to hide among Israel’s enemies. Twice, he had the chance to kill Saul—but he refused, trusting God’s justice instead (1 Samuel 24; 26).
Those years were not wasted. They shaped David’s character, deepened his faith, and gave him the skills he would need to lead Israel. His intimate knowledge of the desert terrain later became a strategic advantage in defeating Israel’s enemies. What looked like delay was actually preparation. David learned to lead armies by surviving the desert; your trial may be your preparation
A Broader Perspective on Suffering
Instead of only asking, “Lord, what are you teaching me?” we should also ask, “Lord, what are you doing through this for others?” This broader question shifts our focus from self-centered reflection to God-centered mission. Suffering is rarely an isolated experience; it often has ripple effects that touch families, churches, workplaces, and even entire communities.
The apostle Paul understood this well. Writing from prison, he told the Philippians that his chains had actually served to advance the gospel (Philippians 1:12–14). His suffering was not just about his personal sanctification—it became a platform for the encouragement of other believers and the bold proclamation of Christ.
This means that the impact of our trials may extend far beyond our own spiritual growth. God may be using your season of difficulty to strengthen your spouse, to teach resilience to your children, to awaken compassion in your church, or to inspire courage in believers across the world. Just as David’s exile prepared him for national leadership, your hardship may be preparing you for influence in ways you cannot yet see.
When we adopt this kingdom-minded perspective, suffering is no longer simply something to endure; it becomes a sacred trust. We begin to ask not only, “How will I get through this?” but also, “How will others see Christ through me in this?” Such a perspective aligns us with God’s larger redemptive story, where personal trials are woven into the fabric of his eternal purposes. Faith that blooms in pain is faith that cannot be shaken.
How to Bear Fruit in the Midst of Trials
Pray for healing and comfort—but also for meaning.
Suffering is real and painful. Pray for relief and God’s presence, and also ask him to sustain others walking through similar valleys (Psalm 34:18).Ask God to use your suffering for his kingdom.
We can respond passively, waiting for comfort, or actively, living with joy, gratitude, and peace in the midst of trials (Galatians 5:22–23).Engage in the fellowship of suffering.
Our pain is not merely private—it is joined to Christ’s own suffering (Philippians 3:10). By walking with others in their trials, we display the love of Christ and bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).
You don’t have to wait for healing to live a fruitful life for God!
Suffering as Kingdom Soil
The purpose of life is not simply to escape pain, but to glorify God and do his will—whether in joy or trial (1 Corinthians 10:31). In Scripture, the imagery of soil often speaks to the conditions in which life and fruit grow (Mark 4:1–20). Paradoxically, in God’s kingdom, the soil of suffering can be the most fertile ground for producing deep-rooted faith, lasting hope, and enduring love.
David’s wilderness prepared him for a throne, but more importantly, it prepared his heart to shepherd God’s people. Similarly, our hardships—though they may feel barren—can break up the hard ground of self-reliance and open us to a deeper dependence on God. Trials strip away illusions of control and expose what we truly trust, making space for the Spirit to cultivate humility, compassion, and perseverance (Romans 5:3–5).
In this way, suffering is not a detour from the Christian life but part of its design. Just as a seed must be buried before it bears fruit (John 12:24), so the believer often enters seasons of obscurity, pain, or limitation before the fruit becomes visible. These seasons may be hidden from the world, but they are not hidden from God—he is working in the unseen places to prepare an abundant harvest.
When we see suffering as kingdom soil, we no longer measure our lives by comfort or ease. Instead, we measure them by faithfulness, fruitfulness, and alignment with God’s mission. We come to understand that the harvest is not for our glory but for his, and that the sweetest fruit often grows in the darkest valleys.