Fruitful Fire

I love watching videos about how things are made. From recipes to crafts, it’s so fascinating to see the process of making something. Looking at the early parts of that process, it sometimes seems unreal that something good could come out of it.  

Jewelry is a great example of this – who would ever think that a shapeless glob of metal turns into something so beautiful? Our lives are alot like that, too. Isaiah 48:10 says, “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” Thehard timesthat we go through are partof our spiritual growth. Just as metals are purified through intense heat, our character is shaped through life's challenges. These momentsfeel overwhelming, but they serve a divine purpose, drawing us closer to God and revealing His strength. 

In those fiery, hard times, we can find comfort in the assurance that we are not alone. 1 Peter 1:6-7says, “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” These trials aren't meaningless; they’re a testament to our faith and resilience. Each challenge is an opportunity to grow deeper in our relationship with Christ, trusting that He is refining us for a greater purpose. 

Remember that the process of being forged in fire is not a solitary journey. Psalm 66:10-12 says, “For You, O God, have tested us; You have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; You laid a crushing burden on our backs; You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet You have brought us out to a place of abundance.” God walks with you and you'll come out on the other side of this even better than when you began. Fire forges fruit in our life, including lessons learned and the faith strengthened. Trust that God is bringing something good out of the fires you face and be ready to shine as a reflection of His glory to those around us.