The pruning would cause pain, but it would be the Father who would apply the knife. He works with no wanton hand or indifferent heart. They are to reach heavenward, and find their support in God. The excessive foliage that draws away the life current from the fruit must be pruned off. The overgrowth must be cut out, to give room for the healing beams of the Sun of Righteousness.
Worldly sorrow is devoid of repentance.
Evidently repentance is an ongoing part of the sanctification process. We must repent daily of our ungodliness and worldly passions, if we are to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives while we wait in faith and obedience for the return of our Lord. This daily repentance is one of the fruits of saving faith and is a gift of God. There has to be a daily death of the old ungodly person so that Christ can rule and direct the new life.