God’s Still Tending Your Tree

Discover how God is still tending your tree, even when life feels barren. Through personal struggle and biblical encouragement, Dianna Hobbs shares how trusting God's timing brings forth fruit in due season!

Can I talk to you for a few moments?

Today was an emotionally difficult day. I felt sad. And on hard days, I get reflective.

Living with a traumatic brain injury is not for the weak—heck, it’s not for the strong either. Ha! It’s hard.

God told me to write about it. So, thank you for reading these thoughts.

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My mind became a battleground when brain trauma set in back in 2019. Suddenly, the everyday things I used to do—you know, writing, speaking, ministering—felt overwhelming. There’s a book I’ve been trying to write for five years now.

Still nothing but pages of paragraphs that may flow for a bit, then break down into scattered fragments.

It’s hard to believe I used to be a ghostwriter for bestselling entrepreneurs, pastors, and nonprofit leaders.

Tasks that once took minutes now feel like mountains. Some things I simply can’t do anymore, and others, well, I can, but they’re a lot harder. The words don’t always come. My thoughts don’t always connect. What used to flow easily now takes extra time, energy, and patience. My focus is scattered, my strength feels drained, and the assignments God gave me in the innocence of youth now feel like distant dreams, just beyond my grasp.

***

In the beginning, when everything started to change, I didn’t know how to handle it. That’s when the negative self-talk began to creep in. At first, it was just a quiet whisper: Maybe you should quit. Maybe you just can’t do this anymore. Then it grew louder, more relentless: You’re not enough! It’s pointless!

Just GIVE UP and walk away!

I began to picture myself as the man in Luke 13:6–9, standing before a barren fig tree, ax in hand, ready to chop it down. In the story, the frustrated owner of the fruitless tree wants to cut it down after years of disappointment.

But the gardener—Jesus—steps in and pleads, “Give it another year. Let me dig around it and fertilize it.”

I love how the gardener doesn’t see a lost cause. He sees potential. In the same way, Jesus isn’t giving up on my tree. And He’s not about to let me give up on it either.

To be clear, I know my tree isn’t fruitless and that God has done and continues to do many great things. Even so, brain trauma often makes life feel barren. I realize that perception and reality are not always the same, but in those moments, it feels as though a dark shadow is cast over everything, turning even the positive things into negatives.

***

Today, God, who faithfully meets us in our affliction, spoke to me through His Word and a blog post I wrote twelve years ago—one I had completely forgotten until He gently nudged me to rediscover it.

As I read it, it felt as though God had thrown me a lifeline. That long-forgotten post, centered on fear and doubt, spoke directly to the battle I’m facing. Through it, God reminded me that He’s still tending my tree, even when I can’t see the fruit yet.

Most days, the urge to quit still lingers. Brain trauma has slowed my productivity, clouded my mind, and turned small doubts into giants. On hard days, when I look at the tree of my calling, all I see are empty branches where fruit should be.

I want to tell God, “This is too hard. I’m done.”

But God sees my tears and frustration. He knows how heavy this calling can feel. He hears the lies that echo in my mind: You’ll never be enough.

And maybe you’re there too.

***

It might not be brain trauma for you. Maybe it’s grief, disappointment, or just a long, dry season. Maybe your fig tree looks barren, and you’re wondering if it’s time to quit. Maybe you’ve heard that same voice: Give up. It’s not worth it. You’re not enough.

Maybe you’re standing there, ax in hand, ready to cut down the dreams and callings God placed in you. But God sees you. He knows the weight you’re carrying and the doubts that keep you up at night.

He’s gently and lovingly removing the ax from your hand and saying to you—just like He’s saying to me—“Don’t chop it down. I’m still tending your tree.”

He’s still breathing life into you, reminding you that you are chosen and anointed for this. There are people you may never meet who need exactly what God has placed in you. Your voice, your story, your gifts—even on your hardest days—are meant to reach hearts no one else can touch.

The enemy wants you to believe your tree is useless. But God is working at your roots, preparing you for a harvest you can’t see yet.

Philippians 1:6 is the verse I keep returning to: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

That’s the promise feeding my roots—and yours—which is why I’m stirring it into your cup of inspiration today.

As you drink down the contents of your cup, remember this: God’s not finished with you. That stubborn spark inside you, that restlessness you can’t shake, is proof that your calling still matters. Even if you can’t see the fruit right now, it’s still growing.

Don’t give up. Don’t let fear or discouragement steal the purpose God planted in you. Your fig tree might look barren today, but God is still working—digging, fertilizing, pruning.

Trust Him.

Take another step, even if it’s shaky. When you shine, even in weakness, God’s light will shine through you. So tap into your gifts, your dreams, your purpose. Let God lead you, one unsteady step at a time.

In His perfect timing, the fruit will come.

Let’s pray.

God, sometimes my struggles make me want to quit. But I thank You for being my gardener—for refusing to let me chop down the tree of my purpose. Ignite Your fire in me again. Give me strength to trust You, to keep going, and to shine for You, even with all my limitations and frustrations. I believe Your promise: You will finish the good work You started in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.

As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!