Luke 8:14–15 (NKJV)
14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
Tribulation is the trials and difficulties of life. Maturity to handle these and to effectively walk through them takes time to acquire. Because of improper time priorities, the time to acquire them quickly becomes the time of impatience, discouragement, disappointment, and desperation. We have been so busy with other things and put the things of God on the back burner. Our root connected to Him has withered!