Refined by Fire: Embracing God's Purifying Work

Through scorching trials and flames so hot,

She walks, refined through fire, a painful plot

Oppression's grip and discipline's sting,

Yet through the fire, her heart still sings

Consumed, yet not by flames alone,

But by faith, her spirit's tone

Pruned and purified, each step defined,

Her soul, through trials, brightly shines

The painful process, harsh and keen,

Burns away the dark, the unseen

Impurities cleansed, a soul reborn,

Through fire's embrace, she's newly sworn

Forged through the hottest fire

She feels the heat

But it's nothing she can't beat

Found strength and resilience,

In every trial, she meets

The heat may scorch, the flames may roar,

But her faith in God will soar

Her life refined by trials severe,

Emerging strong, without a fear

In the fire, God's presence is near,

She walks unscathed, her path so clear

Preserved, protected, through the blaze,

Her soul untouched, she sings His praise

Lord Jesus stands, her constant guide,

Through every trial, He's by her side

No flames can harm, no fire can bind,

In His embrace, true peace she finds

From fiery darts and searing pain,

She rises strong, no loss, just gain

Her soul refined, her heart aligned,

Through every trial, her faith defined

As fiery fire blazes through the dark night

She takes a step back in hindsight

Ah! reflecting the good of the fire-refined

God whispered, "Beloved, you shouldn't be surprised"

Fire-refined produces restoration,

He whispered

A boldness anew fire-purified,

God's deliverance, now realized

Refined through the fire, she stands

A testament to His guiding hands.

Fire!!! A word that we don't want to hear. With our natural eyes, fire is harmful; it can damage properties and our physical bodies. I am sure everyone would agree that no one likes fire and how much destruction it can impact one's life; however, from a biblical standpoint, what does fire mean? According to the Holman Bible Dictionary, fire is a significant divine symbol throughout the Old and New Testaments; fire is associated with God's presence, divine judgment, and purification. All three have or will become evident in our lives.

Have you ever gone through challenging trials? When we face these trials, we don't often think about how God is purifying or refining us. So why the refining? I've had my struggles, and despite the pain, I welcome the refining; however, I did not always welcome the refining. I know it's for His purpose—God is growing my faith. My faith is certainly tested, and I am becoming stronger. He is taking away my impurities. So yes, refine me, Lord!

As believers, we want the impurities removed from us. Imagine this: if you were to buy gold that had yet to go through the purging process, would you buy it? Here's the thing: gold in its raw form is often mixed with various impurities. It undergoes a refining process involving intense heat to remove these impurities, resulting in pure, valuable gold. With this refining process, gold would be more valuable and desirable.

How do you feel about the refining process in your own life?

We must understand why God chooses to refine us through fire. The trials of life—the fire—are not meant to harm us but to make us better and more like Christ. He wants us to be holy and for our hearts to be pure, strengthening our characters. Bear in mind the reason God wants to purify us. He wants us to be ready. He wants us to be more valuable to Him, ourselves, and others.

As 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NLT) says: So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise, glory, and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

When we face the fires of life, it is an opportunity for our faith to be proven genuine and to shine brightly. Just as gold is refined by fire, so are we refined by our trials. Impurities are burned away through these fiery trials, and we emerge stronger and purer.

So, how do we withstand going through the fire? First, we must hold onto God's promises and remember He is always with us. As we discussed in Isaiah 43:2 (NLT) last month, He reassures us: "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you." This verse reminds us that God's presence is a constant, even in our most challenging times.

Additionally, we can withstand the fire by relying on prayer, fasting, and support from those we trust. Praying for strength, wisdom, and endurance can help us navigate difficult times. Sharing our struggles with like-minded believers will provide encouragement and remind us that we are not alone.

Embracing a mindset of trust and surrender to God's will is crucial; recognizing that He is in control and has a purpose for every trial can give us peace and assurance. The fire may be intense, but through these trials, our faith is refined, and we are made more like Christ.

Last thought...

Remember, God does not allow us to go through the fire without purpose. Each trial is a step towards becoming more like Christ, with hearts that reflect His purity and holiness. So, when the flames rise, and the heat intensifies, trust that God is with you, refining you and preparing you for His greater purpose.

Just as refined gold is more valuable and desirable, we grow stronger in our faith and character after undergoing God's refining process. Without this process, our potential remains hidden, and we are less equipped to serve God fully. Hence, we transform. We emerge from the process stronger, purer, and more aligned with God's purpose, ready to fulfill His calling so that we can live to breathe again.

Christ has already paid the price of our redemption; therefore, let us remain purified and embrace the refining process so we can become priceless in our faith.