There are so many facing times of trial right now. Whether it is external circumstances outside of our control, or inner struggles that we have to endure. Frequently, we discover that before we can find a period of rest, there's a process that must first take place. A cycle that might test us to our very limits, wearing us down, leaving us exhausted and without the strength to continue. However, it's in these times that we learn and many, if not most times re-learn that the strength was never to be found with us in the first place. But instead it was given to us by Christ, Who has been there all along, extending His hand to us, waiting patiently for us to notice.

Gold and silver are both put to the fire to be refined. Through this process it is strengthened and purified. The Bible speaks about how just as gold and silver must be put to the fire, we will also be refined (those of us who are also in Christ). It is periods of hardships, struggles, trials, and sorrows that is our fire. We find ourselves brought to the brink even, before the cycle passes. We may even feel as if we are failing miserably, but if you think about it, so long as we remain on this earth, this process is continuing. So even when we feel as if we are failing, we are, in fact, still learning. This process still continues, it's still ongoing. So even when you're in a time when you feel as if you have failed, it's not necessarily so. You're still being refined - still learning, still growing.

Whatever we fail from now, we learn from later. I believe that we are right now in a time that is crucial for spiritual preparations. We are in need of learning not to rely upon ourselves, but on God. It's not upon our own strength that we should rely, but upon His, and as such many will find themselves with an increase of struggles of various forms. When you find yourself in this period of distress, remember that there is strength that can be found in weakness. There is joy that can come from tears. It is when you are at your most humble that you can feel the true power of God moving in your life. It is then that He can mold you into what it is that you need to be, and position you to where it is that you need to go.


And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God. - Zechariah 13:9 (KJV)