Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-5

Do you know how precious metals are refined? Smelting is the process in which gold is separated from ore and other metals. The ore is first pulverized with extreme pressure to create tiny particles, which are then melted at almost 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. As the gold becomes molten, most of the impurities are burned up.  

After smelting, it goes through a refining process. This process removes the finer impurities that smelting can’t. When the gold is molten, chlorine bubbles are introduced, which separates the pure gold from the dross. This waste product floats on top and is skimmed off, leaving behind even purer gold.

Does this sound familiar?  Pulverizing by extreme pressure? Melting by unfathomable heat? I know there have been several trials that I have lived through that made me feel that way.

Trials have a purpose. As we walk through what is pulverizing and burning our souls to the core, our impurities (or humanness/sin nature) are rising to the top to be skimmed off by the Author and Perfecter of our faith, making us more like Jesus. 

One thing I know for sure is, I would not know Jesus as intimately as I do had it not been for experiencing the loss of a child. He became so real to me, did so many small and great things for me along the way, that my dependency upon Him was no longer a distant thought or mystery. It was a fall-into-His-arms-in-desperation-kind-of-faith.  

Lord, thank You for the trials of life.  I want to learn everything You want me to, so my suffering will not be in vain, and that I may become mature and complete in my faith.  

Johna Clemons