There are several large portable heaters situated in the hallways of my school during the winter months for added warmth. One day, as I was gazing past one of the heaters, I noticed that my vision was blurred. I realized that the heat waves rising up from the heater were distorting the air so that I couldn’t clearly see what was in front of me.
Isn’t this what happens when our lives feel the heat of adversity, challenge or trials? The proverbial heat we face can cause our thinking to become distorted and confused. We begin to doubt God’s Promises and we become filled with self-pity and condemning thoughts.
We must remember in these trying times that though walking through the fire can often be uncomfortable, there is One who has promised to use the flames for His Good Purposes. Not to scald us or harm us, but to purify and refine us. God wants to burn away the parts of us that do not bring Him glory and replace those areas with the Fruit of His Spirit.
In fact, God’s Word encourages us to face our trials with Hope and expectancy, because the One who refines us does so in order to complete the good work that He started in us. This way, we will be lacking nothing that we need in order to fulfil the great Purpose He has for our lives.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
Don’t let the heat of adversity distort the Truth of God’s Promises. He loves you. He has a Good plan for your life. He is working all things together for your good.
Father God, please increase our faith and our trust in You. Please embolden us so that when we feel the temperature rising in our circumstances, we would not fear, but instead we would recognize that our challenges are opportunities to see You working in our midst. Please show us how to surrender to Your Refining Fire so that every aspect of our lives would honour You and bring You Glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Girl After God's Heart 