As believers, we desire to be refined by God to bring Him honor and be used by Him. But the process of refining isn’t something that feels good, nor does it give us an emotional high. 

God accomplishes the refining during the normal course of life. On our average day we don’t notice it or recognize it but typically are irritated and complain wishing life would be better.  

God uses those closest to us to reveal our inner character so we are able to see how much we need God to live in us.

Why refine?

Refining reveals  our inability to live the Christian life. It reveals our insufficiency. Hopefully, it crowds us to Christ for help.

He also uses circumstances, when things go wrong, when we are pressed and stressed what is inside comes out. Is it sweet juice or sour juice?  Is it our flesh, flaws and shortcomings, or is it the sweetness of Jesus?

Exposing flesh, bringing out in the open so it can be removed is God’s purpose. He isn’t trying to hurt us. It isn’t His purpose. 

It is so we can be one with Him. Fulfilled. Complete. The more flesh we have, the more we are kept from being one with Him. The more flesh is removed, the more our spirit is released to be one with Him.

How are we refined?

We speak of living a life of sacrifice like it is this wonderful act on our part. It is minute by minute sacrificing what you want in favor of what another person needs. It is biting our tongue when we want to retaliate with hurtful words. It is choosing to walk with the Lord in obedience for what He has for you each day rather than thinking of your comfort and wishes. It is saying no to unbelief and stepping out in faith.

Your heavenly Father wants to refine you, to make you as gold, pure gold, refining your mind(thinker), your will(chooser), and your emotions(feeler).

Over time it will get easier because it will be your nature to do so as He transforms you. Each time you step out in faith and obey you will find joy. When self is demanding attention, choose to obey and sacrifice your life. The surprise is joy. Denying self brings joy when we are following Jesus Christ.

Refiner’s fire – burning away impurities, mixtures. Releasing pleasant aroma to God and to those around us.

It is all in our perspective. Embrace the refining from your Heavenly Father. Let’s look at every situation in every one of our days as coming from our Kind Father in heaven. Every situation. A child with a skinned knee, a flat tire, paying bills, enjoying our family, going to work, etc. 

Words to light your path this week

• James 1:2  Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,  ESV
• 1 Peter 1:6-7   In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith–more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire–may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  ESV
• Romans 12:1-2  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  ESV
• Romans 8:29  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  ESV
• Luke 9:23-24  And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.  ESV
• Ephesians 5:1-2  Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  ESV

Prayer – Heavenly Father, help us to see You only want good for us. You want to bring us joy. You want to unite us with You, but You have to remove the impurities, the carnal side of us, our natural that we cling to. Help us to see the end result which is joy beyond our comprehension.

Refiner’s Fire song

Transforming Irritations John Woodward

Life’s Little Irritations 

How Gold is Refined  8 minute Youtube video