• MISSION
  • CHURCH
  • MINISTRIES
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • LIFE
  • COMMENT
au
Christian Today
Monday 18 February 2019
  • MISSION
  • CHURCH
  • MINISTRIES
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • LIFE
  • COMMENT

Trial by Fire

By Mel Cleary - Press Service International

Have you ever looked at a tiny flame of a candle and thought how beautiful? Or at a fireplace and thought how cozy and warm? And then you hear about spontaneous combustion and think no thank you. Because fun fact about fire – it hurts.

In the Flames

There’s a reason they call it trial by fire. It’s something I always understood, fire burns away the impurities and so on but I feel like I’ve only really got it now. And even then I’ll probably look back at this and realised that even now I don’t really get it, because we’re always learning. There’s a lot of bad stuff that will be burned away, there’s some maybe not bad but not what you need stuff that will melt and separate from the refined material. The product may be good, but it is not a fun process.

I think one of the dangers of being human is complacency. You get comfortable in life during the fine spells and maybe you’re not the best, but you’re not as bad as some of the crazy stuff going on in the world. So you settle. You put effort in, but not a lot. You’re happy with how you are. But God wants you to be more. And so he turns up the temperature.

Coming out of the Fire

There’s a few misconceptions that have been burned away from me recently, including the idea that refining really isn’t fun. But it is necessary. I hate that phrase that whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, because a lot of things do in fact kill you. But in this case maybe it was right. God is very much a God of the big picture as well as the little things. I cursed him for not helping me when I needed it but now that I’m through the rough patch (here’s hoping!) I can stand on firmer ground. While I can’t say I’m grateful for everything that happened, I do feel stronger for it.

My relationship with God is still complicated but now that I’m not feeling so on fire, I can look back and think that he wasn’t trying to hurt me, he just knew it needed to be done. Much like a parent who takes their children to get immunised when they’re young, it’s something that will be useful in the long run no matter how much the child will scream or cry.

And of course that’s easy for me to say now that I’m okay again and there will be many others out there that are still struggling, that still feel like they’re under attack and that God is silent in their time of need. And while that’s not okay, it will be, even though it seems like it never will be.

I think of Abraham how he kept asking God to save Sodom and Gomorrah for less and less people and how God was never angry. I think of Moses when he was so exhausted by the Israelites that he asked for death and God wasn’t angry with him for that. Be angry, question God and let it all out. Because he knows better than anyone how you’re feeling and will understand. He won’t be enjoying the process any more than you are. But of course that’s always easier said than done. So hoping you keep holding on in the meantime if you're still in the fire.

Refinement

I've always had a pretty chill life and while I never had an amazing testimony, it was a testimony in itself that I'd been ok and not got involved in the wrong things. But like I said, God wants more for us and chances are we're all going to go through the fire at some point so that we can mature and be the best us we can be, both for ourselves and for those around us. Never make the mistake that I made in thinking you’re not important enough to get shaken up, because God cares about all of us!

I’m still learning, still maturing but God will walk with me no matter how slow and resistant I am. I think only once we reach the end of the this refinement, we’ll look back and realise we’re a little bit stronger or more mature than before. And whether we feel it or not, God is there making the sure the flames won’t burn us up completely (even if it sometimes feels like it) and is watching us every step of the way.

 

Mel Cleary is a Press Service International young writer from Wellington NZ

Trending Coverage
  • Franklin Graham Wins Thousands of Souls at Melbourne’s Festival Victoria

    Franklin Graham Wins Thousands of Souls at Melbourne’s Festival Victoria

    The world renowned American evangelist Franklin Graham’s visit to Australia has sparked up a passion for Christ sweeping across local churches. Over 7,000 people have accepted Graham’s invitation to receive Christ into their lives...

  • Darlene Zschech leaves Hillsong after 25 years to pastor Church Unlimited with husband

    Darlene Zschech leaves Hillsong after 25 years to pastor Church Unlimited with husband

    World renowned worship leader Darlene Zschech has announced her move with husband Mark Zschech to take up position of Senior Pastors at Church Unlimited, Central Coast NSW, officially starting in late January 2011.

  • Confessions of a presidential pastor

    Confessions of a presidential pastor

    I was still a teenager, just 19 years of age when I began leading a Scripture Union mission team.

  • Most Popular
    • Confessions of a presidential pastor
      Confessions of a presidential pastor
    • Empty washing baskets
      Empty washing baskets
    • A resolution you can’t afford to ignore
      A resolution you can’t afford to ignore
    • Be Found in Your Lane
      Be Found in Your Lane
    • Is being rich carnal?
      Is being rich carnal?
    • What is the happy life?
      What is the happy life?
    • The noisy night
      The noisy night
    Subscribe and Follow
    Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest
    Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Hot News
    • The rapture - Is there any need for argument?
      The rapture - Is there any need for argument?
    • How to be a better leader
      How to be a better leader
    • One Day in Melbourne set for 10 August
      One Day in Melbourne set for 10 August
    • The power of intercession
      The power of intercession
    • I Knew Where I Was Going
      I Knew Where I Was Going
    • Refining your craft: God cares and wants to partner with you
      Refining your craft: God cares and wants to partner with you
    • 365
      365
Recommended
  • The Truth About People in Two Words

    The Truth About People in Two Words

  • Remembering the Unforgettable God

    Remembering the Unforgettable God

  • And He Promised Peace

    And He Promised Peace

  • Quick, Quick, Slow

    Quick, Quick, Slow

  • Home
  • MISSION
  • CHURCH
  • MINISTRIES
  • ENTERTAINMENT
  • LIFE
  • COMMENT
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising
  • Terms & Conditions
Copyright © 2018 Christian Today. All Rights Reserved.