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The Refiner's Fire

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
1 Peter 4:12

It takes fire to purify gold, and when God gets ready to refine us He uses fiery trials! Nothing gives strength to your character and depth to your faith, like tough times. Whenever you see someone whose life reflects the character of Christ you are probably looking at someone who has been through the fire.

But here is some good news: you may be in the fire today, but God has His hand on the thermostat! He knows the heat required to burn away the impurities that hinder His purposes in your life. His hand fans the flames needed to teach you endurance, forgiveness, compassion, and a lot of other character building lessons. You need His correction - you do not enjoy it - but you need it. Listen: 'We do not enjoy being disciplined. It is painful, but later, after we have learned from it, we have peace, because we start living in the right way' (Hebrews 12:11).

No one invests without expecting a return, and God is a wise businessman. He will do whatever it takes to protect His investment in you. We spend so much time talking about what we want from God, when the real issue is: what He wants from us and what He will do to get it. John said, 'He will place everything true in its proper place... everything false he will put out with the trash to be burned' (Matthew 3:12). Maybe that will help you to understand some of the things you are going through at the moment.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the fiery trials that you have me go through. Help me see them as ways in which you are making me stronger and more usable for you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen