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Refined through trials
Ken SilvaRomans 5:3-5
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
These passages of scripture seem almost counter intuitive. In this world no one wants to suffer, we definitely don't want pain. But yet Paul tells us we should "glory in our sufferings". Trials are a means to shape our character. Trials are out there and everyone will experience them. Some will grow through the experience and others wither. Paul tells us we can't develop endurance with out going through the trials. You don't have to endure when everything is going well. When you are receiving blessings it's not difficult to trust in the Lord. But will you endure by faith when everything is falling apart. When a mariage hits the rocks or you are diagnosed with a serious illness. When you go through trials trusting in the Lord you develop endurance. When you come out on the other side of a difficult situation and you kept your eyes firmly on God you have proven God's faithfulness. Our hope becomes stronger when we are refined through the fire.
Scripture like this hits me between the eyes. As is the case with many of us in church, it was through suffering that I came to know the Lord. I had led a life devoted to "me". When the hard times hit I was lost, devastated and depressed. A wonderful Christian couple led me to the Lord. I started to climb out of my self made pit and focused on the things that mattered. God refined me through affliction. He blessed me through my adversity and redeemed my marriage. As I look back on the trials I can see that God was in control, he loved me and had a plan for my life.
Dear Lord thank you for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for refining me so that I could become the man you designed me to be. Thank you for redeeming my life and blessing me in ways that are unimagineable. I desire to be near to you and honor you with my words and actions. Thank you Lord. Amen
