"ploughing the earth of our heart"?

I would need a verb (or a phrase) that describes what a plough does to the earth (literally) and can apply to the earth of our heart in a metaphorical way. This is a positive connotation that may involve pain, but leads to a good result. The context could be something like:

Hardship and afflictions ____ the earth of our heart(, plough it), uproot all the weeds so that we may be delivered of every regret, so that we may be able to look forward.

What word would you suggest after "afflictions"? Whatever the plough does to the earth reveals things that were concealed underneath. This is the meaning the author is trying to convey.

I would be grateful for any suggestion, even if it only partially covers all the connotations that I have given.

Solution 1:

Good question. Off the top of my head, I came up with plow. Considering how M-W defines the word, I think it would suit your purpose to a nicety—

: To turn, break up, or work with a plow

To make (something, such as a furrow) with a plow

And here is AHD on another meaning of the word—

To make or form with driving force: I plowed my way through the crowd.

To progress (through water) : plow the high seas.

Thus, the two connotations you are seeking are nicely encapsulated in this word.

Another beautiful and short word that fits the context is till, which AHD defines as—

To prepare (land) for the raising of crops, as by plowing and harrowing; cultivate.

On a personal note, I like till better than plow because it seems to convey better the sense of roiling up the earth for something productive.

Solution 2:

Hardship and afflictions till the earth of our heart(, plough it), uproot all the weeds so that we may be delivered of every regret, so that we may be able to look forward.

To till has the advantage of being a little old-fashioned, and this suits religious language.

OED:

till (v) tr., intr, absolute

4.a. transitive. To bestow labour and attention, such as ploughing, harrowing, manuring, etc., upon (land) so as to fit it for raising crops; to cultivate.

1625 N. Carpenter Geogr. Delineated ii. i. 8 Every man began..to till & manure the soil.

4 b. spec. To plough (land).

1863 H. Fawcett Man. Polit. Econ. i. iv. 48 The same ploughs till the land for many successive crops.

6. figurative. To cultivate (something figured as land or as a crop, e.g. the mind, a ‘field’ of knowledge, a virtue, etc.).

a1764 R. Lloyd Author's Apol. in Wks. (1774) I. 6 And tills their minds with proper care.