In ancient times a man was visiting a
goldsmith to collect some gold. He asked the silversmith the process on how
gold was refined. He replied, “I must sit
with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for
refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the gold will be lost”.
Amazed he asked, “But when do you know it
is ready?” The silversmith replied, “When
I can see my own image reflected in the gold.”
Trials can have many
different meanings and contexts, including storms, afflictions, hardships,
tests, discipline, suffering, persecutions and alike. In many cultures, there
is mixed opinion about life’s trials and their response to them. Ancient Greeks
saw trials as a curse which was always negative. The Romans saw them to be
avoided if at all possible which were to be detested.
However, early Christians saw
trials in a different light. To them it was sent by God either directly or
indirectly, to purify, prune, prepare and prove. They saw them as opportunities
to purify their motives (1 Peter 1:6-7), prune for greater fruitfulness (John
15), prepare for the future (James 1:4) and to ultimately prove that they
belonged to Christ by sharing in His sufferings (Romans 8:17).
Job
23:10 says, Yet he knows
the way I take; when he has tested me, I will come out like gold. The trials and opposition are an indication of the
amazing future ahead of you. Often, you will have a good indication of your
future by what struggles and adversity you have had to overcome. It is very
likely that the person who you are today is a result of trials you had to
overcome personally.
Through our trials rough
edges were smoothed and brittle areas scrubbed until we more closely resembled
what we were meant to be. God allows us
to go through hard times so
that we may grow and become smooth and shiny. His goal is for us to become a
reflection of Him that not only He can see, but also so others can see Him in
us.
Zechariah 13:2-3 But who can
endure the day when he comes? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be
like a refiner's fire, like the soap-maker's lye. He will sit, testing and
purifying the silver; he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold
and silver, so that they can bring offerings to the LORD uprightly.
This process is one of
purification, refining and cleansing. It has to do with the removal of
impurities which can hinder and make us stuck. Impurities of character flaws,
attitudes and weaknesses are burned, which rise to the top and skimmed off by
our Father. Later what is left our character and spirit reflecting the person
of Jesus, pruned for greater fruitfulness.
Christ sees it needful to put
His children into the refiner’s fire. His eye is steadily intent on the work of
purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for
them. Our trials do not come at random, for all the very hairs of your head are
numbered.
James 1:2-4 Count it all
joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And
let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in
nothing.
The natural response when faced with a
situation that is unpleasant is to want that situation removed. If there is
something that is causing you pain, you naturally want that pain removed.
However, the mature person sees that trials come into our lives to strengthen
us.
Trials are for our good. We
should not want them removed simply because they are unpleasant. We should bear
them in faith and seek God’s wisdom to learn whatever God is trying to teach us
during them.
The end destination of trials
is ultimately to reach a state of complete spiritual maturity, measuring up to
the person of Jesus. If you are experiencing a season of being broken right
now, ask yourself: what is God teaching me? Is there anything in my life that
shouldn’t be there? Are there character/heart issues that need to be developed?
If you said yes to any of
these, the best thing you can do is surrender. Lay down your pride, discomfort,
securities and everything that you dearly hold on to, and give it all to Him.
The idea of surrender is that you are wrong and you have nothing to hold on to.....freedom!
The purpose of trials is to
purify, prune, prepare and prove, so that
you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. One day you will see
that the greatest setbacks became the greatest set ups you never thought
possible.
Without God in our lives we
would all fall back into our old ways and lifestyle sins. We lose touch with
the good things of God and take everything for granted. It only after being
through a fire that you fully appreciate the work God is doing in you and
making you into a better person.
1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
