The full price of a fruitful life is often paid during the challenging seasons that shape us for God’s extraordinary purposes. However, the journey to becoming something better for God is often marked by a Season of the Worst. This is a time of storms, struggles, darkness, and waiting. Instant growth and harvest are rare; instead, these seasons of hardship seem to be a prerequisite for the harvest that God has in mind.

As leaders in the church, it’s crucial to understand that the price for a fruitful life has been set, and there are no shortcuts. Every significant work of God demands full payment—through perseverance, dedication, and unwavering faith.

Joseph’s Journey: A Model of Perseverance

We all admire the story of Joseph—how God used him to save a nation, his family, and the world. But it’s easy to forget the incredible hardships he endured to become that person. Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned, Joseph’s life was marked by trials that made no sense at the time. Yet, through it all, he remained faithful.

1. The Process of Becoming a “Fruitful Bough”

Joseph’s life illustrates the process of becoming a “fruitful bough.” Fruitfulness doesn’t happen overnight. It requires planting, caring, and staying committed through all sorts of weather and various treatments. Church leaders, like Joseph, must be prepared to work diligently, endure loneliness, and face elements that can interfere with the harvest.

Insight for Leaders: Endure the Process

Just as a tree doesn’t bear fruit immediately, your ministry may not see immediate results. Trust the process God has placed you in, knowing that the seasons of hardship are preparing you for greater fruitfulness. Encourage your congregation to see their struggles as a part of God’s refining process, leading to a bountiful harvest.

Staying Close to the Source: “By A Well”

One key to Joseph’s fruitfulness was his proximity to the source of life—God Himself. The phrase “By A Well” suggests a person who stays close to the source of health and life, which for us is the Holy Spirit. To bear fruit, we must have regular contact with the Spirit through prayer, worship, and fellowship.

2. The Necessity of Spiritual Nourishment

For leaders, maintaining a consistent and vibrant prayer life is non-negotiable. A sloppy prayer life or sporadic church attendance can severely hinder spiritual growth. Just as water is essential for a tree to bear fruit, so is the Spirit essential for our spiritual vitality.

Insight for Leaders: Prioritize Spiritual Disciplines

Make your spiritual disciplines a top priority. Lead by example, showing your congregation the importance of staying close to God. When you are spiritually nourished, your ministry will naturally overflow with fruit that glorifies God and benefits others.

Growth and Danger: “Branches Running Over The Wall”

The image of “Branches Running Over The Wall” speaks of growth that extends beyond the safety of the familiar, exposing us to both opportunities and dangers. Growth often places us in positions of visibility where we are vulnerable to attacks from the enemy. Joseph experienced this firsthand—“The archers have hated him, shot at him, and caused him grief.”

3. Embracing the Cost of Visibility

As your ministry grows and your influence extends, you will face greater opposition. Criticism, spiritual attacks, and unexpected challenges are part of the price of growth. Yet, these difficulties are not meant to destroy you but to shape and strengthen your character.

Insight for Leaders: Be Prepared for Opposition

When your ministry begins to thrive, be ready for increased scrutiny and attacks. Remind yourself and your team that these challenges are a sign of growth, and they are opportunities for God to demonstrate His power through you. Encourage your church to stay united and focused on the mission, even in the face of adversity.

Conclusion: Persevere Like Joseph

Joseph’s story ends in victory. Despite all he endured, he won—because he remained faithful to God through every trial. As church leaders, we must be willing to pay the full price for the fruitfulness God desires in our lives and ministries. It won’t always be easy, but the harvest will be worth it.

Final Encouragement: Keep the End in Sight

Just as Joseph’s faithfulness led to a great harvest, so will yours. Keep the end in sight, knowing that every hardship, every struggle, and every dark season is preparing you for something greater. May we all be willing to be all that God wishes for our lives, paying the full price to bear much fruit for His glory.

About Pastor James Smith

Pastor James Smith, Valparaiso, Indiana – Founder of PreachIt.org, OpportunityHope.org, and PastoralHelps.com.

He equips pastors worldwide with sermons, leadership tools, and encouragement, while also caring for orphaned and at-risk children in West Bengal, India through OpportunityHope. Beyond the orphanage and school, OpportunityHope provides clean water wells, livestock, and other humanitarian helps to families and villages in need. Additional books, leadership training, and mentoring resources are available through PastoralHelps.com.