Buried or Planted? Unpacking Perseverance, Faith, and the Hidden Growth in Life’s Hardest Seasons

Let’s get real: life’s ‘burial moments’ don’t always feel inspiring—or even spiritual. A few years ago, the author nearly quit her calling when everything from bills to relationships seemed to crash at once. But what if this sense of being buried is actually something else? Using stories of biblical perseverance and a dash of everyday chaos, this post peels back the layers to find hope, humor, and unexpected parallels between seeds in the dirt and souls in distress.

When Life Feels Like Dirt: Is This Buried or Planted?

Hard times often feel like an ending. When life’s circumstances close in, it can seem as if hope is being suffocated under the weight of disappointment, loss, or uncertainty. Yet, in the biblical narrative and in countless personal stories, spiritual growth during hardships often begins in these very moments of darkness. The question is not just, “Why am I here?” but, “Am I buried, or am I being planted?”

The Seed Analogy: Growth Begins in Darkness

Consider the journey of a seed. A seed cannot grow by sitting in the light, cozy and untouched. For a seed to reach its potential, it must be placed in the ground—into darkness, into dirt. It is buried in a hard, uncomfortable place. Only then, under pressure and out of sight, does the miracle of transformation begin. The seed breaks open, roots push down, and eventually, new life pushes up through the soil.

"When you plant a seed it feels buried, and even though he takes the seed and digs a hole and puts the seed down and covers it up with dirt, he's not a mortician—he's planted it, not buried it."

This powerful image is echoed throughout scripture and is a central metaphor for perseverance in faith. The dirt is not a grave; it is a womb for new life.

Personal Story: From Buried to Planted

Many people have experienced seasons where life feels like rubble—where dreams are dashed, relationships falter, or health fails. In those moments, it’s natural to feel buried, as if the story has ended. But often, looking back, people realize those were the very seasons where the deepest roots of faith and character took hold. What felt like an ending was actually a beginning—a time of being planted for future fruitfulness.

Biblical Perseverance Stories: Joseph’s Imprisonment and Faith

The story of Joseph in Genesis is a classic example of this truth. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused, and thrown into prison. For thirteen years, he endured hardship and isolation. Psalm 105:18 describes his suffering: “They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons.” Yet, it was in that dark, hidden place that Joseph’s faith and leadership matured. When the time was right, he was promoted to a position of great influence, saving nations from famine.

Joseph’s journey shows that spiritual growth during hardships is not about escaping the darkness, but enduring it with faith. The prison was not his grave; it was the soil where his destiny took root. This is the essence of transforming suffering into strength.

Seasons of Hardship: Preparation, Not Punishment

It’s easy to mistake hard seasons for punishment or abandonment. However, the Bible is full of stories where darkness precedes breakthrough. Job’s extensive suffering was followed by restoration. David hid in caves before becoming king. These stories remind us that God often uses the dirt—the hard, hidden places—to prepare us for greater fruitfulness.

• Joseph’s imprisonment and faith led to the salvation of many (Genesis 41).
• Job’s perseverance brought about double restoration (Job 42:10).
• David’s wilderness years forged a king after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 22-24).

Adopting a ‘Planted, Not Buried’ Mindset

There is no difference in the motion between planting and burying—a seed is placed in the ground and covered with dirt. The difference is in the purpose. A mortician buries to end a life; a gardener plants to begin one. When life feels like dirt, faith invites us to see ourselves as seeds—planted, not buried. This mindset shift is at the heart of perseverance in faith.

In the end, the dirt is not the end of the story. It is the place where God draws out what He has placed inside, preparing us for a harvest we cannot yet see. The next time life feels like dirt, remember: you may not be buried—you may be planted for something greater.

The Struggle Is a Setup: Hidden Advantages of Hard Seasons

Hardships Are Not Meaningless—Preparation for Greater Things

When life delivers hardship—whether it’s job loss, divorce, illness, or heartbreak—it’s easy to wonder if there’s any purpose in the pain. Yet, from a biblical perspective, these hard seasons are not random or meaningless. Instead, they are often the very tools God uses to prepare us for what lies ahead. As the saying goes, “Everything you’re going through is preparing you for what you asked God for.” This mindset transforms suffering into a setup, not a setback.

Romans 8:28 is a cornerstone for trusting God through adversity:

“We know that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.”

Gift-Wrapped in Pain: Discovering Purpose and Maturity in Adversity

Adversity is often the soil where maturity and strength take root. The process is rarely comfortable. As the source material notes, “In order to develop real quality it takes time and it takes pain and it takes endurance and it takes grief and it takes trouble and it takes turmoil and it takes destruction and demolition.” Just as a house must be torn down before it can be rebuilt, our lives sometimes need to be stripped back so that new growth can occur.

This is the heart of transforming suffering into strength. God’s promises during trials are not that He will always remove the storm, but that He will walk with us through it. Psalm 23 illustrates this beautifully:

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me… You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”

Why Bitterness Is the Roadblock; Faith and Hope Open Doors to Growth

One of the greatest dangers in hard seasons is bitterness. When disappointment sets in, it’s tempting to run from God, to question His goodness, or to give up hope. But as the source reminds us, “Who are you running to if you’re running from the one person who loves you faithfully and actually has the power to help you and heal you?”

Bitterness is a roadblock to growth. It keeps us stuck, focused on the “why” of suffering rather than the “what”—what God is doing in us and through us. Shifting our focus from asking “Why is this happening?” to “What is God preparing me for?” opens the door to transformation. Perseverance in faith and enduring suffering with faith are the keys to unlocking the hidden advantages of hard seasons.

• Hard seasons realign our priorities and reveal hidden potential.
• Painful experiences can deepen empathy, patience, and wisdom.
• Trusting God through adversity builds spiritual muscles that easy times never could.

As the saying goes,

“If it’s not good, God’s not done—he’s still working.”

“I’ve prepared the table… stay in faith, anchor in hope.”

Seeing Pain as Preparation, Not Punishment

When believers see pain as preparation rather than punishment, it frees them to grow. God’s methods include both easy and hard seasons, but both are supernatural in their ability to carry out His purpose. If the season you’re in isn’t good yet, remember: God is not finished. He is still working, still weaving, still preparing you for the table set on the other side of the valley.

Mind Games: Battling Negative Thoughts and Finding Real Peace

Every season of hardship brings with it a flood of thoughts—some helpful, many harmful. In the darkest valleys, negative thinking can become a constant companion, whispering doubts and fears that seem impossible to silence. Recognizing these toxic thoughts is the first defense in the battle for mental resilience in difficult times. The mind, as scripture and experience teach, is a battlefield. It is here that perseverance, faith, and the seeds of hidden growth are either nurtured or choked out by worry and anxiety.

Many people struggle with chronic anxiety, fear-based patterns, and a relentless inner critic. These voices often echo old regrets—“I should have started younger”—or insidious lies: “You’re not good enough. You’ll never change. You don’t deserve peace.” Such thoughts are not merely passing worries; they are the enemy’s primary tools, designed to hold people hostage and keep them from the freedom and power that is their birthright. The enemy’s main weapons are deception and lies, aiming to control thinking, and by extension, life itself.

Yet, there is hope. The first step in overcoming negative thinking is to recognize the source of these thoughts. Not every thought that enters the mind deserves attention or acceptance. As one wise saying puts it,

“Just because a thought comes doesn’t mean you have to think it—you control the doorway to your mind.”

Scripture offers a powerful promise for those who feel overwhelmed by mental battles. In Isaiah, God declares, “If you keep your mind stayed on me, I will keep you in perfect peace.” This is not a call to ignore reality or pretend that pain does not exist. Rather, it is an invitation to anchor the mind in faith, to focus on God’s promises instead of problems. When worry and anxiety threaten to spiral, prayer becomes emotional first aid—an act of surrender and trust that shifts attention from fear to faith.

Renewing the mind with scripture is another practical step toward mental resilience in difficult times. Memorizing verses, meditating on truth, and using scripture as a filter for thoughts can break the cycle of negativity. When the enemy reminds you of your failures or tries to stir up anxiety about the future, counter those lies with God’s truth: you are loved, chosen, and equipped for every challenge. This intentional focus transforms the mind and builds strength for adversity.

Alongside prayer and scripture, cultivating an attitude of gratitude in adversity is a surprisingly potent weapon against despair. Gratitude shifts the focus from what is lacking to what is present, from pain to provision. Even in the midst of hardship, there are blessings to be found—small mercies, moments of beauty, and evidence of God’s care. Keeping a gratitude journal or simply pausing to thank God for daily gifts can rewire the brain for hope and resilience.

Ultimately, most of life’s battles are won or lost in the mind. The choice is clear: believe the enemy’s lies or embrace God’s truth. The devil will always have tools—memories, situations, or fears—to try to keep you from peace. But you do not have to rent space to fear and negativity. Instead, choose to stay anchored in faith, renew your mind with scripture, and practice prayer over worry and anxiety. In doing so, you will discover that even in the hardest seasons, you are not buried—you are planted. And in the hidden soil of perseverance and faith, real peace and growth can take root.