Refine Me

Life has a knack for tossing us around. Some days it feels like the whole world just lands on your gut at the first moment your eyes open. It seems like God's no where to be found, and you're not just up the creek without a paddle, but you're in the middle of the ocean in the row boat, and there's a storm going on around you and it's all you can do to not drown. You can't see any light or land for the rain and you feel beaten and abused. 

And then something happens, be it a phone call from your parents are a hug from a friend, and it's like God just placed you in the eye of the storm. Around you is still gray, and you still have issues and the world to deal with, but for that moment, you look up and you see a glorious deep blue sky and the warmth of the sun gives you relief. How much more you appreciate that moment of peace and quiet after you've gone through the storm.

God always has you in his eyes, even if you can't see him for the rain. Some times it's Satan, dumping buckets of water on your head and all you need to do is step to the right to see God. Sometimes, there is a colossal storm and for that moment, even if you can't see God, you have to trust that he can see you. But for all that the world and Satan tries to tell us otherwise, God can turn absolutely ANYTHING around for his good. He's always got a plan, no matter what. And he allows us to go through hardships so that we can be stronger in Him, and His glory can be brighter. 

If you want to be fit or loose weight, you exercise. It's a pain in the butt and for days you feel sore and stiff. Faith and Trust are the same thing. They are like muscles that this world had forgotten to use and they need to be exercised. Unfortunately, we, even as children, learn consequences through pain. I am not belittling natural disasters or famine or flood. I am saying that God allows those things to happen so that we can grow in him and be an example of him. In order to grow stronger and healthier in faith and trust, we need to be tested. Only then will they become healthy. 

We need God to refine us, even if it means suffering. We are crude coal and he sees diamonds in us. Let him mold you into his plan. I promise you, even though the storm is great, and you are tired and hurt, the end result will be far better than any other exercise you can do.