Some trees bear fruit only every few years. An avocado tree, for example, may take between 5-13 years to bear its first fruits.

Just because you've gone a few years since “that problem” last manifested, it doesn't necessarily mean it's gone for good. If the root is alive, it will come up again as sure as night follows day.

Bad roots need to be killed. Not ignored. Not left alone. Not just prayed over. They must be ruthlessly exterminated.