The Furnace of Affliction

In life we often find ourselves in situations that make us uneasy. For some, this year has already proven to be a challenge and a continuation of sorts, of last year. With all that is going on it can lead us to wonder, "Why God? Why have you allowed me to go through a season such as this?" These are the moments that define us as followers of Christ.

First and foremost, God is sovereign. He has every right to allow whatever he will to happen in our lives. He blesses those that he chooses to bless. He delivers whomever he chooses to deliver. He heals whomever he chooses to heal. On the flip side, he also uses whomever he desires to use to show his power & authority.

When looking at Isaiah 48:10 we see a remarkable statement. He says, "Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." Understand that God chose you for such a time as this and adhere to the wise words of James 1:2, and count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations. Why rejoice, because God is working a greater good that does not yet appear to be. What you are going through is NOT a punishment, and you should expel any and tongue that rises up against you in judgment to say otherwise. God is molding you from the inside out. There are thoughts, ways, spirits, and feelings inside of you that are not of God and he is cleaning house. He does this so he can continually reside within you and be sole source of all that you need and desire. So if you've been diagnosed with an illness, understand that God can heal if you ask him. But if he doesn't, it's not that he is unable, he will give you the grace to live with it. Why wouldn't God remove a thorn? Because the thorn keeps us humble and in constant dependency on him.

I'd keep going but my 2 minutes are up... just remember that God uses the pains of life to prepare you for the pleasures of life. Hold on, after the test comes the promotion.

Be blessed, wait on Lord, and rejoice no matter what.