Is Hurt Holding You Back from Growing?
Scroll to read a recap of Pastor Lee Cummings’ sermon from August 10, 2025!
If you’ve ever tried to grow something—tomatoes, a houseplant, or even a tiny windowsill succulent—you know that intentionality, care, sunlight, and soil matter. A good seed won’t thrive if the soil and environment aren’t right. Even with watering, if the soil is dry or full of weeds, the plant will struggle.
Our hearts work the same way. Without the right support, the water of God’s Word, or the intentional work of pulling weeds from our souls, we won’t grow into our identity in Christ.
Jesus used this picture in the Parable of the Sower, describing four types of soil—four ways we respond to God’s truth:
The Hard Path
The seed never takes root. The soil is too tough to receive it. This hardness can come from church hurt, disappointment, or feeling like God has forgotten us. When our hearts are closed off, God’s truth can’t penetrate.Rocky Soil
The seed sprouts quickly but doesn’t last. Some people start with excitement and passion for the Lord, but it fades when life gets hard. Rocky soil can’t sustain growth.Weedy Soil
The seed grows, but so do the weeds—worries, distractions, or hidden sins. These choke spiritual growth if we don’t deal with them.Good Soil
The most fruitful environment. Roots grow deep, fruit flourishes, and the plant stays healthy. When our spiritual roots are strong, our relationship with God thrives.
We like to think we’re good soil, but the truth is, most of us are a mix. Some areas are soft and open, others are hardened or tangled with weeds. Life scars certain parts of us, making growth uneven. We’re human, and we’re blessed with the capacity to grow and feel emotion. But growth requires humility—being willing to face our wounds and let God heal them. He doesn’t want us stuck in hurt or hard ground.
Breaking up fallow ground isn’t easy. Gardening is messy, sweaty, and time-consuming. Spiritually, it means pulling out deep-rooted habits, unforgiveness, or misplaced priorities. It might look like forgiving someone, releasing a situation, or admitting we’ve been wrong. Weeds don’t ask permission to grow. Resentment, anxiety, greed, busyness—these creep in when we’re not paying attention, crowding out what God has for us.
Here’s the good news: God isn’t asking us to show up with ready-to-go soil. He’s asking us to let Him work on our current state. He knows how to break up the hard ground, remove the weeds, and plant something better. Our part is to humbly accept His help.
This doesn’t mean life will be free from pain. It means choosing the better portion—peace over anxiety, forgiveness over bitterness, purpose over confusion. When God’s truth takes root, it changes not just our environment but us. It overflows into our relationships, our thoughts, and the way we live.
It’s not about having it all figured out. It’s about making space for God to do what only He can do.
Tap to watch Pastor Lee Cummings’ full sermon on Youtube.
Here's a 5-day devotional guide based on this sermon:
Day 1: The Power of God's Word
Reading: Psalm 119:169–176
Devotional: God's Word is living and active, capable of transforming our lives when we approach it with humility. Today, reflect on your attitude towards Scripture. Are you coming to it with pride, thinking you already know everything, or with a teachable spirit? Ask God to soften your heart and give you understanding as you read His Word.
Day 2: Receiving the Word with Meekness
Reading: James 1:21–25
Devotional: James instructs us to receive God's Word with meekness. This means approaching Scripture with humility, ready to be changed by its truth. Think about areas in your life where you might be resistant to God's Word. Are there commandments you struggle to obey? Pray for the strength to not just be a hearer of the Word, but a doer as well.
Day 3: The Parable of the Sower
Reading: Matthew 13:18–23
Devotional: Jesus uses the parable of the sower to illustrate different responses to God's Word. Examine your heart: Which type of soil are you? Are there areas where the Word has been choked out by worries or the deceitfulness of wealth? Ask God to help you cultivate good soil in your heart, removing the rocks and thorns that hinder growth.
Day 4: Breaking Up the Fallow Ground
Reading: Hosea 10:12
Devotional: Hosea calls us to break up our fallow ground—the hardened areas of our hearts. What parts of your life have become resistant to God's Word? It might be a habit, an attitude, or a relationship. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal these areas to you. Pray for God's grace to soften your heart and make it receptive to His truth. Choose one area to focus on and ask God to help you cultivate it for His purposes.
Day 5: Bearing Fruit
Reading: John 15:1-8
Devotional: Jesus teaches that remaining connected to Him is essential for bearing fruit. Reflect on your connection to Christ—are you abiding in Him daily? Consider how your life is bearing fruit for God's kingdom. Are there areas where you need to allow God's Word to prune you so that you can be more fruitful?
There’s an opportunity for you to grow in your spiritual journey, build meaningful community, and truly get connected. At Radiant Church, we’re passionate about helping people grow in faith, encounter the presence of God, and be part of a church grounded in Spirit and truth.