Refiner's Fire

 

What's On My Heart Today

My Wilderness Journey "Refiner's Fire"

 

This is not a "Woe is me" story. I never ask God, "Why me?" I knew that He had a higher purpose for me than my immediate needs. Thankfully, I have long been a faithful Bible believer. It is at the core of who I am. It is important to understand why we, as God's children, believer's of the cross, would  have to go through the "Refiner's Fire." The fact that we are called upon to go through difficult trials shows that God see's something precious in us that He desires to develop. God does not cast worthless stones into His furnace. 

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"Refiner's Fire"

 

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12-13

 

Where this journey began...It is difficult to process those deep valley moments in our lives journey. We rarely see them coming. The morning dawned like any other. We were excitedly planning a women's ministry fall retreat. I had no idea what the enemy had waiting for me. By the end of this day, in the space of a heartbeat, my heart would be shattered into a million pieces. I had to walk away from my church and a ministry that I so dearly loved.

 

One day shortly after this devastating day, while walking with sweet sister's, my leg refused to obey it's mental command to move. Half dragging and half lovingly being dragged, we arrived back to our car. We all have detours, we may not recognize them as the hand of God, but in His infinite mercy, He never leaves us alone. It would take several months to find a church that would meet my Spiritual needs and begin a journey of healing and 11 months and 4 doctors to find the source of my physical distress. I was facing back surgery. I was trying with all my heart to reach for my mustard seed.

 

It would not take long for me to recognize that I was standing before the "Refiner's Fire!" Thank you Father, Your Word had prepared me well. While it would take months to put it all together, it's God's way that we trust Him no matter what He sets before us. It is a journey of faith. Praise God, faith does not listen to despair! This was a time that all that I could do was to look up...Oh, sweet Jesus, It was there that I found my blessed Redeemer looking back at me.

 

It is important to keep in mind that God is in charge of the refining process in our lives, and that He has not lost control of the process. He is taking us through the refining process because His opinion of us is that we are valuable. As the Heavenly Surgeon, holding the scalpel over our lives. When we can't see His hand, we must trust His heart. In Heaven, all the dark places we've never understood will be clearly seen in the light of the Lamb! When God can see His own image in His people, His work of purifying will be accomplished.

 

"I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." Psalm 16:8

 

Sweet Blessings,

Jo

 

Next: "My Precious Husband"