The Refining Process...

I once had a conversation with a good friend in NC that went like this.:
Me: "I need to be more refined to be more Christ like & to help me do God's will so I have asked God to refine me."
Friend: (with look of horror on his face) "Oh, Kathy, I don't think that's a good idea!"
Me: "Why?"
Friend: "Because He will...and it will be painful."
Me: "Yeah, I kind of figured that but it is what I need."
Friend: "I think you're making a mistake. Are you ready for what He may have in store for you?"
Me: "I think God wants me to be refined. It says in His Word that He will not give us more than we can bear. I also know that He knows my heart & that if I am asking to be refined so I can be more Christ like & to do His will that I may actually experience less pain in the long run."
Friend: "Well, you maybe right about the less pain but you don't know for sure."

This conversation was with a very Godly man. I did not agree with him but I did not take offense. I knew what I had to do. I asked God to refine me...and he did. Was it painful? Yes, but pain with God is a lot less painful than pain without God. Why? Because the joy, comfort, & peace of the Lord is with me to sustain & guide me even through the darkest days & the most painful experiences.

I knew last fall when Randy & I said "Yes" to something that God was call us to do, that we would be heavily attacked by Satan. We are now in the process of doing it as well as still continuing something else that God has called us to do, & the attack is fierce. Some things that I am currently experiencing now are direct attacks from Satan others are things that God is using to refine me. I haven't asked him lately to refine me some more but I know that I need it. So even though it maybe painful, I will stand strong in Jesus during these trials & refining process. I am even learning how to have deep down joy in the midst of them which is HUGE for me :o)

The Lord confirmed all of this to me twice already today. The first was during a phone call with a friend & the other one was with an E mail devotion from Dr. David Jeremiah. I hope this will be an encouragement to you as well!

Times of Trouble
...that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:7

Recommended Reading
1 Peter 1:2-9

Charles V was a teenager when he became the most powerful man in Europe, and almost immediately he faced a vexing problem. What to do with Martin Luther? He summoned Luther to the city of Worms in 1521 for a hearing on his radical teaching. Luther traveled the 300 miles to Worms expecting to be condemned there and perhaps executed. The hearing was tense and emotional, but Luther's ringing affirmation spoken that day is famous: "Here I stand," he said, "I can do no other. God help me! Amen!" Even though Charles V was a devout Catholic, he allowed Luther to leave unharmed to continue his work.

In times of stress, strain, challenge, and trouble, we have to take our stand in the truths of God's Word. Fiery trials serve only to refine faith. Troubling times reveal in Whom our allegiance truly lies. The Psalmist said: "The Lord also will be a refuge...in times of trouble.... For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion... He is (my) strength in the time of trouble.... (Psalm 9:9; 27:5; 37:39).
In times of trouble, we can take our stand in Him--He never fails us.

"A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing!" Martin Luther