At the height of a drought in California, I met a man who made his livelihood from the wine industry. I asked him if the drought was having a negative impact on his business. He explained to me that a grapevine is quite amazing.The harsher the weather, the rougher that it is treated, the better grapes it produces. Tough weather actually forces the roots to dig deeper to get what they need to survive. The result is a healthier, more productive plant. He didn’t realize how true this statement really was in relation to life, not just his grapevines.In our lives, we all go through tough times of drought, disappointment, and despair. God never leaves or forsakes us; but at times, it may feel like He’s nowhere to be found. It is actually during those times of drought, disappointment, and despair that we grow the most.It is during those hard times that we are forced to dig deep and to search out the answers we need to help us live successful lives. Hardships eventually produce better fruit and make us stronger for it. He is the vine, and we are the branches. United in Him, we shall flourish and produce abundant fruit.