Refined By Fire

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

but the Lord delivers him out of them all."-Psalm 34:19

"Strengthening the souls of the disciples,

exhorting them to continue in the faith,

and saying,"We must through many tribulations

enter the kingdom of God."-Acts 14:22

I had trouble falling asleep last night. It seems a lifetime of needing to stay vigilant in the dark will always follow me somehow.

My mind wanders, creating stories, imagining the future. And I had this question, Do all of us, 100% of humanity, face the hardships of life, no matter who we are? Does anyone cruise through without a major crisis?

Sometimes I wonder.

I've faced my own: neglect, abuse, loss, betrayal, abandonment. Deep, painful things that leave a mark.

And so I started thinking of every family I've ever known. Every single one from childhood to now. And the conclusion is, no one escapes. Good, God fearing believers who love Jesus with their whole hearts face cancer, illness, poverty, abuse, incredible loss, heartbreak, addictions.

You name it.

Some look perfect from where I sit. There's this one family I know, the only one I could think of that hasn't faced a massive crisis. But even there, behind closed doors, there's pain. Discord in the marriage, yelling and anxiety.

Sometimes it even seems that the best people, the ones who've been in church their whole lives, are the ones who'll face the most.

And then we blame them.

"Oh, they must've done something wrong."

"They probably sinned and didn't repent."

As if God's blessings always look like comfort.

As if holiness shows up as ease.

As if the absence of struggle=God's approval.

But I can't think of one example in the Bible where God's chosen lived a life of ease. It just doesn't happen. I suppose we wouldn't have a testimony if it were so.

We as God's people are always pressed, tested, and refined, so we can testify. So we can grow.

Healer. Savior. Redeemer.

"God has blessed me with safety, love, wealth, wisdom, a wonderful Christian family, children who all walk with the Lord, a great job, nice home and car, immaculate health..." said no one ever.

And yet, we still praise Him.

I will. I will praise Him even more.

Because through all my trials and heartache, He's the only thing that stays consistent. Never shifts. The One who's promises I can rely on.

He doesn't lie. He doesn't give up on us. He never walks away. He can't. We're his children.

"But He said to me,'My grace is sufficient for you,

for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'

Therefore most gladly I will boast in my

infirmities, that the power of Christ

may rest upon me." -2 Corinthians 12:9

So I boast, not in myself or what I've overcome, but in how far he's carried me.

How near He's been.

How much He's forgiven.

"Let the redeemed of the Lord say so

Whom He has redeemed from the hand

of the enemy." -Psalm 107:2

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