The making of a better you

Nothing "bad" happens to a Christian without some good reason. "All things work together for good to those who love God" (Romans 8:28). Don't worry about the times of testing and weakness, thinking that you must have done something terribly wrong. What you feel is the Lord's tender hand upon you, making you into the person He knows you can be. He's not punishing you, He's testing and refining you and making you even more beautiful in spirit. He's making your inner beauty shine for all to see.

As hard as it is, these breakings and remakings are inevitable. He must make you weak. He must make you humble. He must make you desperate for Him and His help. But in this time of weakness, as you acknowledge your dependence on Him, He will come to your rescue, give you strength of spirit, and shape your character in ways that would otherwise not be possible.

You're in His hands and He will perfect that which concerns you (Psalm 138:8). So don't be angry or bitter at the Lord for these testings, which are only for a time. You will rejoice and be grateful when you look back and see how this was necessary for Him to accomplish His good purpose.

--David Brandt Berg

* * *

In ancient times, goldsmiths had a simple but sure method to determine when the refining process had purged away all the base metals and other extraneous matter from the gold ore. When a goldsmith could see his face reflected in the molten metal in his cupel, he knew that the refining fire had worked its purifying purpose; only pure gold remained.

Job said, "When God has tested me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10).

King Solomon wrote, "The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the hearts" (Proverbs 17:3).

The apostle Peter wrote, "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you" (1 Peter 4:12).

When God sees the image of His Son reflected in our lives, He knows that His purifying fires have achieved their purpose.

* * *

No matter what happens to those called "His own,"
Events that are awful or grand,
Every trial of your life He sends from His Throne;
Things just don't happen; they're planned.

--Alice Reynolds Flower