Crucibles for the Heart

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the hearts. Proverbs 17:3 (New American Standard Bible)

The Bible is filled with word pictures that are meant to help us take in truth in an understandable and meaningful way. Such is the case when God speaks of refining pots (crucibles), furnaces, and heart tests. The processes and end results are quite similar….purification by fire. The heat (trial or test) is what exposes the impurities, the skimming removes the impurities, and the eventual result is a pure and useable substance. God desires to work with my heart in the same way that a refiner works with precious silver or gold. What He starts with is not beautiful in itself but He knows what will eventually come forth.

I have known for some time now that God exposes areas of my life for the purpose of healing and transforming me, not for the purpose of shaming me. That issue was settled when He helped me grasp Romans 8:1 which says, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” He continues to fix the images I have of Him and correct the distortions and lies the enemy has given me in regards to His character and heart. What I am learning is helping me to trust in Him and cooperate with Him more fully.

Like everyone else, I do not like trials or discomfort. If it brings tears, pain, or heartache I want no part of it. But God is letting me know that is the only way to show me what is inside of me. The hardships of life reveal where my trust lies, what I really believe about God, in whom my security is tied, what my real desires are, and the many areas that need to be changed. As I learn to connect with Him on a daily basis the revelations are powerful.

Just last night He opened my eyes to something I had been missing and He used a sense of sadness to do it. As the sadness hit, I found myself wanting to contact somebody….anybody. Relationships have always been great pain relievers for me. Sort of like Novocain for my soul! That is when God intervened and began to show me my own tendency to avoid pain through external sources rather than take the pain to Him for true healing and wholeness. I was opting for a bandage instead of surgery! I was settling for miniscule, temporary fixes at best while God was offering me continual, lasting comfort and change. As I ended my day with Him, He ministered to me in a way no human could come close to doing. May He continue to do His refining work in me.

Father, I have often misunderstood the process and power of Your refining techniques. You have once again peaked my interest, aroused my curiosity, and captured my heart. I love You! Amen.