Refined By Fire

Are you feeling tired, frustrated or discouraged? Maybe you've been sick, or are fighting a health battle. Maybe your worried about your children, your family or our future. Perhaps your going through a difficult time financially, work has slowed down, or you've lost your job. Worse yet, perhaps you're mourning the loss of a loved one. If that is the case, then my heart truly goes out to you my friend, you are not alone.

Most of us, are right there with you, feeling the very real effects of a world that seems to have gone completely mad. Going through any one of these things under normal circumstances can be extremely difficult and discouraging, but in this Twilight Covid mess were all in, the trials seem compounded, and yet many are going though multiple trials at once. It's exhausting isn't it? It often feels like were literally, living a nightmare that we can't wake up from. 

If you too are feeling this way, or know someone who is, then I want to share something that really changed my outlook on going through difficult times. It definitely gave me a fresh perspective on how to view the trials and difficulties we find ourselves facing. I came across a couple of passages in God's word, that really encouraged me, and I hope they do you, too. 

The first one is in 1Peter 1:6,7-"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

It's a very interesting example. A refiner uses extremely hot temperatures to melt the gold or silver, which then causes the other metals or impurities that ruin it's value, to separate from it. Refining is a very time consuming process, but the end result is worth it, as the refiner is left with a pure product. Without the refining process, and heat being used, the gold or silver would remain with impurities, and wouldn't have the same value as if it were pure. So too, when we feel the heat of life's pressures and trials, we are actually being refined by God.  

I also found much encouragement in Zechariah 13:9-"This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.' "

Daniel 12:9-10 says, "He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time. Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand." "

Adjusting our thinking, and realizing that God allows us to go through trials and difficulties, in order to see what were made of, by testing our faith, and refining us, can help us stay more determined to remain faithful and close to God while enduring, through difficult times. 

When God answers prayers, he doesn't always come to the rescue right away.  He often allows us to go through the difficulty, feeling the flame so to speak, then he pulls us from the heat, which if we allow, brings us closer to him. Knowing that we aren't alone, that it is all just temporary, and that were being refined through the process, definitely puts a different prospective on going through trials and difficulties. It still isn't enjoyable, no hardship is, but our reward for being faithful is so much bigger than anything we could imagine here.

There's a Christian song I love called "Fires", that references going through fire and feeling the heat of the flame...I found the song very fitting, see it posted below.

I hope that you find encouragement from the scriptures I shared above. Know your loved, and much more valuable than gold in God's eyes. Trust in him, draw close to him, and he will walk you through the fire.

                                                   ~Blessings & Joy,

                                                             Lisa

Link to song below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-ggZd-SmSs

                                           "Fires"                                             

I remember how You told me
That life may not be easy
And everything that I need
You've already given me

I remember how You told me
I can trust You completely
So why am I doubting
When You proved that You'd fight for me

You've walked me through fires
Pulled me from flames
If You're in this with me
I won't be afraid

When the smoke billows higher, oh and higher
And it feels like I can barely breathe
I'll walk through these fires
'Cause You're walking with me

I'm changed by Your mercy
Covered by Your peace
I'm living out the victory
Doesn't mean I won't feel the heat

You've walked me through fires
Pulled me from flames
If You're in this with me
I won't be afraid

When the smoke billows higher, oh and higher
And it feels like I can barely breathe
I'll walk through these fires
'Cause You're walking with me

I can face anything
'Cause You're here with me
I can do all things
'Cause You strengthen me

I remember how You showed me
The price of my redemption
Lord, how could I question
When You proved that You'd die for me

You've walked me through fires
Pulled me from flames
If You're in this with me
I won't be afraid

When the smoke billows higher, oh and higher
And it feels like I can barely breathe
I'll walk through these fires
'Cause You're walking with me
I'll walk through these fires
'Cause You're walking with me