Feeling tired and frustrated?

Are things just not going your way?

Have you ever cried out, “Lord, please make it stop?”

Well, in case you haven’t noticed, it won’t ever stop. We will always face difficulties in our lives. But the good news is that with each faith-testing experience, our ability to deal with these trials and tribulations becomes better, and our faith grows stronger.

In this scripture, God compares our faith to a most precious and beautiful metal – gold. But when mined, this precious metal doesn’t look very precious. It’s dirty and dark. So, how does gold become the brilliant, beautiful, and expensive metal we’ve come to expect?

A refiner takes the gold and slowly melts it, carefully raising the temperature – but never to the point of boiling. As it melts, the impurities rise to the surface and are removed, leaving behind a beautiful pot of gold. Here’s the amazing part: the refiner knows the gold is ready only when he can look into the melting pot and see his reflection. In other words, the only way gold will become more precious is when it’s placed in the fire.

It’s the same in our lives – often, the impurities of our lives must be exposed to the fire so that the Lord can scoop up the filth that is revealed under “fire.” And just like the refiner, God will never allow us to boil. Finally, when it’s all said and done, God can look upon us and see the beauty of His reflection in our lives.

Let’s not waste time focusing on whatever trials we’re facing today – on the contrary – let’s embrace them. The Lord is using these things to prepare us to do great things for Him. Instead of anger or bitterness when a tough season hits, ask the Lord how you can grow in character and faith.  And watch how the Lord blesses you through the fire.

I can promise you that He will.

Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH