Silver! When illuminated by light, silver is transformed to reflect a brilliant, lustrous, glow. But it doesn’t start out that way, does it?

Silver starts out as dull clump of mixed ores. In order to refine the silver and transform it into a beautiful object, it must first be exposed to heat. The silversmith then molds the silver into the beautiful object he envisions. This transformation protects the silver from corrosion, creating a finish which reflects light with a brilliant, lustrous glow.

God is like the patient silversmith who envisions the end result.

He knows that exposing us to the heat of trials softens our hearts enabling Him to transform us into the person He envisions. As our hearts are illuminated by the light of Christ, the glow of His love is reflected in our lives. In the process, we are strengthened against the corrosive effects of the world.

For you, God, tested us;
You refined us like silver,
Psalm 66:10 NIV

BRING ON THE HEAT?

Unless it’s the middle of a cold winter, or we’re refining silver, we don’t usually say, “Bring on the heat.” Especially when referring to trials which heat up the pressure in our lives.

My brethren,
count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience,
James 1:2-3

Like the heated refining process
removes the impurities in silver,
“heated” trials remove
impurities that negatively impact our hearts.

We are impacted by impurities such as fear, unforgiveness, addictions, idols and detrimental relationships. These kinds of impurities impede our relationship with Jesus, hinder our faith and lead us astray from the wonderful plan He has for our lives. Refining removes these obstacles so that we can be transformed into the person God lovingly created us to be.

Recently, I experienced a heated trial that lasted several months: a concussion. Like a clump of silver, when my trial heated up things needing refining were clearly revealed.

As I waited for all the evidence of concussion symptoms to disappear, my patience, or lack thereof, was clearly shown. My patience was shorter than I thought! So, I prayed, Lord give me patience quick! Ha! That prayer certainly revealed my heart!

Don’t we often feel that way about heated trials? Who wants to be patient? We want immediate results! We look at our circumstances: health, financial and relationship problems and cry;

“God change things now!”

But, just as silver is transformed by heat, we are by the heat of trials. It may not be an entirely joyful experience; however, it results in a beautiful transformation of our hearts.

WAIT FOR IT!

I’ve been healed quickly so often, that I am not accustomed to waiting. I have the faith that “by His stripes, we are healed,” 1 but waiting for concussion symptoms to disappear has been a challenge. Thus, the impatience was exposed.

God uses the time we wait during trials. He sees more than our circumstances; He sees our hearts. It’s when we are waiting that He lovingly transforms our hearts by growing our faith, refining us and preparing us for His perfect plan.

Refining, preparing and growing our faith are commingled. It’s while we wait for answered prayer or things to change that God reveals how our hearts need to be refined. He then transforms us completing the refining process by coalescing the changes into our hearts and lives.

What else happens while we wait?
Our faith grows.

How often does our faith take a nose dive
when we don’t see
immediate results?

How often do doubts emerge when our prayers don’t produce the results we desire? Let’s face it, our faith doesn’t usually grow much in the easy times.

Faith grows
in the tough, heated trials
where we have to depend on Jesus to make it through.

But just as God is doing for me and did for David, Joseph and others in the Bible, He uses the times we wait. God wastes nothing.

Waiting grows our faith as we trust that God is using the time to refine and prepare us to be the person He envisions. While we wait for answered prayer or victory, by anchoring our hope in Him our faith grows. We learn joy in the midst of trials and peace in the midst of chaos. We are renewed and strengthened as we wait.

But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint,
Isaiah 40:31

Whenever we are faced with a trial, let’s keep our eyes on Jesus allowing Him to refine, prepare and grow our faith to fulfill His loving plan.

For whatever is born of God
overcomes the world.
And this is the victory that has overcome the world—
our faith,
1 John 5:4

REFLECTION

How can God use this trial to transform me?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, as I write James 1:2-3 and say it aloud, help me to find joy in the trials as You refine, prepare and grow my faith. Mold me into the person You created me to be following Your loving plan. In Jesus name. Amen.

GROW FAITH THROUGH THE TRIALS

Comment!

________________________________________________________________________________________________
*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/

Silver processing – Britannica.com
1- Isaiah 53:5
Photo silver, andreasmetallerreni
Photo heat, enlightening images