Leaning Into the Fire
Key Thought | Growth doesn’t happen in comfort. It happens in the fire. When we stop running from the refining and start trusting the Refiner, our pain becomes the place where His presence is most deeply felt.
I had never seen The Notebook until two months ago. I had always heard it was a tearjerker, and I wanted no part of that. I’ve never watched Grey’s Anatomy or any other emotional dramas either. I’ve been tenderhearted for as long as I can remember, and I don’t like to purposely invite tears and heartbreak if I can help it. Life hurts enough on its own without emotional movies and shows.
I also didn’t want to endure pain, difficult situations, conflict, or trials. I certainly didn’t want God to refine me by fire.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 (NIV)
I did not want trouble! Is an easy, quiet, and peaceful life too much to ask for?
“Seek peace and pursue it.” — Psalm 34:14 (NIV)
That’s been my life verse for many years.
But we don’t grow that way.
As much as it hurts, I don’t want to miss the opportunity to grow my faith, to be pruned and refined by the Lord. When I look back, I can see how pain has drawn me closer to Him. The times I’ve been brought to my knees because He was the only answer, when there seemed to be no way out, those are the moments I’ve felt closest to heaven.
It’s only recently that I’ve begun allowing the Holy Spirit to heal the emotionally immature parts of me that resisted growth. I’m learning to see the cross as a source of healing and to release my desire to run from hard things.
Right now, I’m walking through cancer with my beloved dad. It feels like my family is being torn apart. We can barely catch our breath from one wave before another diagnosis hits, dragging us beneath the crashing waves again. But this time, instead of running, I’m leaning in. I’m accepting the refinement. Because the letting go, the surrender, is building my testimony of the goodness of God.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” — James 1:2–3 (NIV)
Prayer | Lord, help me to stop running from the fire. Teach me to trust You in the refining, to see beauty in the process, and to remember that being set apart means being shaped by Your hands. May every trial draw me closer to You, and may my life reflect Your goodness, even in the hard and emotional places.
Reflection | What areas of your life are you withholding from God because you fear the pain that might come with letting go? Where might He be inviting you to trust Him in the refinement process, even when it feels uncomfortable or uncertain?
I had never seen The Notebook until two months ago. I had always heard it was a tearjerker, and I wanted no part of that. I’ve never watched Grey’s Anatomy or any other emotional dramas either. I’ve been tenderhearted for as long as I can remember, and I don’t like to purposely invite tears and heartbreak if I can help it. Life hurts enough on its own without emotional movies and shows.
I also didn’t want to endure pain, difficult situations, conflict, or trials. I certainly didn’t want God to refine me by fire.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 (NIV)
I did not want trouble! Is an easy, quiet, and peaceful life too much to ask for?
“Seek peace and pursue it.” — Psalm 34:14 (NIV)
That’s been my life verse for many years.
But we don’t grow that way.
As much as it hurts, I don’t want to miss the opportunity to grow my faith, to be pruned and refined by the Lord. When I look back, I can see how pain has drawn me closer to Him. The times I’ve been brought to my knees because He was the only answer, when there seemed to be no way out, those are the moments I’ve felt closest to heaven.
It’s only recently that I’ve begun allowing the Holy Spirit to heal the emotionally immature parts of me that resisted growth. I’m learning to see the cross as a source of healing and to release my desire to run from hard things.
Right now, I’m walking through cancer with my beloved dad. It feels like my family is being torn apart. We can barely catch our breath from one wave before another diagnosis hits, dragging us beneath the crashing waves again. But this time, instead of running, I’m leaning in. I’m accepting the refinement. Because the letting go, the surrender, is building my testimony of the goodness of God.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” — James 1:2–3 (NIV)
Prayer | Lord, help me to stop running from the fire. Teach me to trust You in the refining, to see beauty in the process, and to remember that being set apart means being shaped by Your hands. May every trial draw me closer to You, and may my life reflect Your goodness, even in the hard and emotional places.
Reflection | What areas of your life are you withholding from God because you fear the pain that might come with letting go? Where might He be inviting you to trust Him in the refinement process, even when it feels uncomfortable or uncertain?
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