Going by faith is not a passive decision. It requires vigilance, steadfast action and unwavering trust.
When we struggle with tough times, there’s more to consider than the finish line. Time spent in the fire refines us; it puts our faith to the ultimate test.
We’ve heard it said in different ways: It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.
When we find ourselves in a place of duress, we can try to see the great opportunity at hand (it won’t feel “great” at the time). But for change to occur, for growth and maturity to happen, the fire must burn away what needs to go — to cleanse, to purify.
Trials Have a Set Time Period
Will the anxiousness, distress or pain last one hour, one day, one year? More?
We don’t always know beforehand, which could create more discomfort, but a time period is set. It will eventually come to an end.
It says in Habakkuk 2:3: This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
The question is, how will we hold ourselves — spiritually, emotionally and physically — during the trial?
When we realize God is at work, that He is refining us for good, then the pain has a purpose. We can trust that God has a bigger plan even if we feel no instant relief.
Our Personal Fires
I mentioned in an earlier post how I struggled through a rough day and wondering why God wasn’t changing the situation. It involved an argument with my husband that seemed to last a full 24 hours. And yet the options to choose peace, to “drop it,” to kiss and make up or even just apologize sat on the sidelines and waited.
Every time I walked away from those options I could feel the fire burning. I kept hearing this voice in my heart say, “Try again.”
I would attempt to try, and then give up.
“Try again.” This went on and on.
Even after several kind-of resolutions, a feeling still lingered. It wasn’t until I actually felt the need to run away from the situation that I saw there was nothing waiting for me to run to. The love was right there, but it required a softer heart.
It required listening. It required sincere kindness. And yet I felt that would be defeating.
Ahhh … there it was. It would be defeating. I wonder where that belief was coming from? Doesn’t sound much like Jesus.
When we go through a trial by fire, the impurities of our character are brought to light for a reason. We may be praying for God to change someone else, but meanwhile God is working in that person to change us. All along, it could be a test of our faith.
When I talked to my husband after that revelation, when I told him I was struggling and didn’t know why, we both hugged and apologized. The situation changed completely.
Tests of our faith are not punishments; they are tests of our faith. We can find inspiration in Job 23:10: But he knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
Keep your faith.
I love your website of going by faith because it is so educative that natures our spiritual lives in the world.
May God give more wisdom.
Thanks
Yours Faithfully,
Arumadri Robert
Yes I can so relate, I am in a season of ‘trials by fire’ and how I conduct myself through the process, how I let my circumstances dictate my peace and joy in God are being tested and refined.
I refuse to let my circumstances take that peace, take that trust. The Devil is on the prowl, out to steal our faith and hope.
Encouraging post!
Just to point out that the trial by fire discussed in Habakkuk 2:3 and Lamentations 1:13 is a literal, enclosed fire by which God can purify man while still in the flesh. It is felt but unseen while at work. Keywords in the Bible include “arrows of the Almighty”, and “fire of thine enemies.” To provide some insight into this, my experience is that it comes in phases; it can last for months at a time, with weeks or months in between which I believe God provides out of His divine mercy. The totality of the trial can last for a bit over a year, as I understand it [Jeremiah 17:7 & Ezekiel 4:5]. In my case, I’ve been experiencing for about 8 months [including 2 long breaks], and I am still alive to the glory of a faithful Maker. Isaiah 43:2 reassures that God protects His elect during this phase of purification; however, the Lord of lords demands that we repent and turn from all sin. For further reading, turn to—[Zechariah 13:9, 1 Peter 4:12, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Proverbs 1:23, Proverbs 1:33, Deuteronomy 4:30-31, and Jeremiah 29:11].