Refined

"There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined...He tunnels through the rock; His eyes see all its treasures."  
~Job 28:1, 10
I think it's pretty safe to say that I am deeply in the midst of the process of being refined.

As I reflect on where I am at right now, my mind conjures up an image of a man carefully placing hard metal into a furnace filled with extreme temperatures in order to soften, mold and perfect into pure gold.

God, in His Word, has told us all that we are precious in His sight.  He desires to help us to be the most beautiful that we can possibly be.  This beauty most often comes after spending time in the fire.

Although I really don't enjoy hanging out in and pushing through situations that are painful and uncomfortable, it does bring comfort to me to know that this time in my life is not in vain -- and, if I allow Him to do what He is perfect at, I may even be able to walk away shaped more like Him.

This week in particular has been nothing short of a wild roller coaster ride.

The amazing truth that I am walking away with at the end of a long week is that I must be worth salvaging, restoring and reshaping.

In that truth I take comfort and find a deep peace.

Dear Jesus,

Help me as I am so weak from the ups and downs of life.  I am so resistant to the intense heat of this fire.  I want so much to collapse under this pressure.

It's SO hard to trust You with the things we cannot see.

Thank You that You find value in me and are pouring Your love into me through this difficult process.

In Your Name, Amen.

"Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies...How priceless is your unfailing love." ~ Psalm 36:5,7