Discipline vs. Pruning

Several months ago, I started using a devotion book based on a book entitled, "Secrets from the Vine." This book is based upon Jesus' teaching in John 15. It really began to teach me some interesting things, but like a big dummy, I decided to switch to another devotion book and never finished "Secrets from the Vine."
Well, about a month after I switched devotionals, I lost my job with Farm Bureau. I was a little disappointed but I knew that this was opening the door to a new opportunity. I began to put out applications with school districts for Choir jobs. I had an interview in a district, but I didn't get the job and I got very angry with God.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago. I was asked to lead a study of the book "Secrets from the Vine." I am finally getting to finish the book that I started. Little did I know how much God was going to show me.
We've spent two weeks talking about how when we are not producing fruit (good works that glorify God), we go through God's discipline. This discipline comes in the form of rebuke, chastening or scourging. God begins with rebuke and if we refuse to repent, He moves to chastening and hen to scourging if we continue to resist Him.
When we finally repent of our sin, and for some of us it takes longer than others because we are a little hard headed (guess who hat would be), God ends the discipline but He begins to prune us to produce more fruit for Him. The problem comes in that discipline and pruning both cause us pain and we end up confusing one with the other.
Because we think that we are undergoing discipline when we are actually being pruned, we get frustrated and often times angry with God. We are confused because we think that God is disciplining us for no reason.
I look back at the difficulties that I've faced the last months and realize that what I thought was discipline was God pruning away things in my life so that I could be more fruitful. I made the mistake of getting mad at God and turning away from Him. I realize now what was taking place. As a result, I've had to repent and allow God to start the process of pruning me again.
Are you in that place today? What do you do to figure out what God is doing in your life? The author gives these suggestions:
1. Examine your life and see if there is any unconfessed sin in your life. If so, pray for God's forgiveness.
2. If you can't think of any sins that are unconfessed, ask God to reveal them to you.
3. If after a period of time, say about a week, God has not revealed any sin, understand that God is pruning you to produce more fruit for Him.
4. Relax and release yourself to Him and allow Him to work in your life the way He sees best.
If you have any questions about this, please leave me a comment and I will answer you or by the book "Secrets from the Vine" and study it for yourself.