Refiner's Fire

Hello all! I'm excited to be writing something new! The stuff I've posted over the last few weeks has, obviously, been stuff I've written a while ago. I actually had the thought to write this all the way back in August and started it, but never got around to writing it completely until now. As you've read in past posts, this last couple of years have felt like jumping from one inferno to the next. I've felt under constant attack, and some days my faith was shaken to its core. The trials seem stacked unceasingly. I never felt like I had a break.

We all know, and have been taught there is purpose to this life. We had to leave the comfort of our home and venture into the wild unknown we call earth, to grow and progress. That is the only way we could become like our Father in Heaven, which is our ultimate goal. So these trials I've been experiencing have had purpose. I know that, we all know that. Sometimes, it's very easy to forget that while we are in the midst of the trial, but can I say I'm stronger because of it? I sure hope so, cause this is NOTHING I want to repeat.

And that's the whole reason we have trials! To make us stronger. The question is, do you allow it to make you stronger, OR do you just endure until it seems to go away? There actually is quite a big difference in these two options. When faced with a trial, do you look at the trial, dissect it, see where you can make a change, and work on making that change, or do you suffer and moan and groan, or what nephi would call murmur? Sure, absolutely there are going to be times when we murmur. We are only human after all.

In malachi, there is a scripture that reads, And he shall sit as a purifier of silver, and as a refiners fire. That refiners fire is exactly what we go through. Each trial is is a refiners fire. What is the purpose of a refining fire? Yes! It is to purify the substance! In this case, US! Make no mistake, the smith has to watch closely so as to make sure the refining process doesn't damage the susbstance. So to does our Lord and Savior watch over us as we go through our refiners fire.

I've often wondered why I seem to go through the same trial over and over again. I think I have found the answer. Before, i would just endure. I would, in a way, become more prideful and bitter, rather than allow my soul to be purified. I didn't think about this until recently but it makes so much sense to me. I had to repeat the trial, so as to learn the real lesson. Will I repeat the trial in the future? Maybe. The Lord needs us to grow faith until it is perfect, like His and this won't happen on earth.

Now though, I have better tools to deal with the trial. I can look at the trial and figure out what God needs me to change and have the courage to change that. I don't want to settle any more. I want to be different. I want to change, I want to change for the better. I don't want to be embittered and hardened. Nobody likes someone like that. So my challenge to you is if you have a trial that seems to not go away, what is God trying to get you to understand, or how is he trying to soften your heart? God does not want us to be unhappy. Satan does. And satan knows, if he can plant a little seed, our natural man will blossom it until we are hardened completely. Allow our Father to change you to become like Him. No that process will not be easy, but the more we fight it, the harder it will be.

I love you all!!