Tried By Fire

Tried by fire

Tried by fire

Are you going through some difficult time right now and you are wondering if there is something you did wrong? I have been in this very spot not to long ago. Asking God where did I go off track. Why are you not answering my prayers and so on? There may be many reasons for this time of uncertainty. So, after you check the usual trouble areas like, anger against anyone, sin, or you were told by God to do a task that has not been completed. You still have no idea the problem, let me give you some encouraging ideas at what may be happening.

The scriptures explain how we are to walk by FAITH, not by sight. I know, easier said than done. We need to look at the Bible for the answer. Take for instance the book of 1 Peter, he has some wonderful words for this situation.

1Peter 1:7, That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:“

Peter is explaining the importance of the tests, (trials) we go through in this life are more precious than gold. Some materials such as silver and gold, go into a fire and are heated to extreme temperatures to melt. As they become a liquid the impurities are skimmed off to reveal the purest gold.

When we received Christ as Lord, our lives were still full of the world with all its impurities, this needs to be brought to the surface and skimmed off. When trials come they are bringing to the surface what we need to dispose of from our lives to become more like Jesus. This is done through the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. When anger shows its ugly head we must recognize it as a worldly impurity needing to be removed.

This process in not a pleasant one, but it is quite necessarily for that refining fire to burn off all the dross in our lives. Peter goes on to say, don’t think this is some strange thing, it will happen to all that follow Christ. As we go on to chapter 4 of 1^st Peter, he gives us some comforting thoughts. 1 Peter 4:12-13, “ Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

Listen the what Paul say about our suffering in Romans 8:17:

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Beloved, the thing you are going through isn’t strange, they are common to every person that names the name of Christ. The very reason we will go through these trials and tests is to be partakers of Christ’s sufferings and be glorified with Him.

Now this is the part we have a difficult time with, REJOICE! This is where our attitude must change. If we continue to fret and fume over being tried by fire, the process will take longer and be much harder. Why, because we are fighting against God’s plan for our lives and to make us holy, mature, not moved by every wind and doctrine.

1 Corinthians 3;13, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”

Remember, God will not allow the enemy to over power you. God loves you more than you can even imagine. So take heart in God’s Word, trust in His ability to see you through. Praise God, to Him be all the Glory.

Al S.