top of page

Refining Fire

Romans 12:12


“Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer.”I am not going to lie; this verse can be perplexing to me. It feels counterintuitive. My flesh doesn’t desire to be patient in affliction. Affliction is ‘pain or suffering’. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t always see myself as patient during trials or suffering. I want to be on the other side of it. I want the fruit without the process. I pray for the fruits of the Spirit. I pray for the development of my character. I pray to be more like Jesus. But often when suffering or unexpected trials hit, I am prone to desire its end without the surrender to the development of my character.


As a parent, I don’t desire my kids to hurt. I don’t desire they encounter suffering. I hurt

when they hurt. My inclination as a loving parent is to want to rescue quickly, but often I

step back. I know that real life lessons are important. I know that most times their

character grows from adversity. I know that challenges grow them. I know they learn

valuable lessons. I know their character is being built through the struggle. And so, I

comfort through the process rather than “rescue". I remind them that I am here when

they feel alone. I sit with them and provide my presence as a reassurance. I pray for

them. I remind them that this struggle won’t last forever. I encourage them to keep

running their race. And when they pass through troubled waters, I marvel at their

strength and resilience. I see the fruit from the hard.


My analogy as a loving and nurturing parent pale in comparison to my Heavenly Father.

I can’t comprehend it fully, but I imagine it. His best interest for me is the development of

my character. He knows that “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put me to shame, because God’s love has been poured into my heart through the Holy Spirit who has been given to me.” (Romans 5:1-5). He cares that I become fully mature in Him. He longs for me to bear fruit, fruit that will last. (John 15:16) And so, like a loving parent, during a trial He reminds me He is there. He holds me secure until the storms of life pass through. He reminds me He is with me, and I am not alone. He provides comfort and provision in the storm. He advocates for me. He helps me to become more patient in the process because I know He is a loving Father. He knows what is best for me. I trust in His will for my life and surrender to Him. I cast my cares on the Lord for I know He will sustain me. He will never let the righteous fall.” Psalm 55:22.


And so, I become more patient because of my Father. I learn to depend on Him more and more. He makes me more like Him. Knowing this, I surrender more to perseverance finishing its work in me, so that I may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”. (James 1:4).


In His Grace and Love,

Jenn

74 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page