Lessons from Proverbs
Proverbs 17:3 (NKJV)
3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts.
Gold and silver are precious metals of great value but before they get to that place of value they have to be purified. This means they have to go through a process of being subjected to great amounts of heat to burn away all other impurities. Interesting that being subjected to this kind of heat separates the gold and silver from what is impure. The gold and silver are not destroyed, instead they are made pure and of more value.
God tests our hearts and He takes us through a similar process not to harm us, but to purify us.
James 1:2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces [a]patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be [b]perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James tells us to consider it all joy when we fall into various trials. When you understand the purpose of the trial is to make you better, then you will rejoice in it. Sadly, many of us interpret trials to mean that God is not pleased with us. We think that He has turned His back on us hence we ask “God where were you and why did you allow this to happen to me if you love me?” Trials come to test our faith and produce patience in us. It is only when we allow patience to have its perfect work in us that we are able to see the fruit thereof.
Just like the silver and gold that have gone through the fire and are priced at a great value, God allows trials into our life to purify us and make us more into the image of Christ.
Remember the path to growth and maturity in Christ is lined up with trials.
