A Burning Heart

See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this… Isaiah 48:10-11 (NIV)

I remember when I faced my first major trial as a Christ-follower. I have to admit that I was confused, and even ashamed. My experience with Christ had been so bright, joyful and romantic leading up to that point. I subconsciously assumed that everything gets easier when you have God on your side, so I felt bad about myself for finding Him to be insufficient. "Why do I hurt?" I thought, "God is still enough."

Since then, I can honestly say that God has repeatedly tested my heart in immensely painful ways. Even as I type this, God is carefully and masterfully breaking and rebuilding my heart in a way I have never experienced. Recently I have held tight to these two verses in Isaiah, as they have reminded me of the true reason I undergo these afflictions: His own glory.

If you are facing affliction, that does not mean that God is not there for you. In fact, He is probably the one who put you there. He compares this spiritual warfare to a blazing furnace, so do not be ashamed that you feel burned. Also note how God repeats Himself when He says that He tests us for His own glory. This is perhaps the most important thing to remember. You suffer for a cause greater than your own! Is it not the greatest honor to sacrifice your comfort for the glory of your God in heaven as His son did for you? I encourage you to trust that our God is an intentional God; let that be your only hope. He does not subject us to pain without plans to rescue us. He cannot let you fall, lest He proves Himself to be unfaithful to His promises. On that day when He snatches you from the furnace, you will rejoice, and so will the ones around you. We must remember on that day to give Him the credit for our hearts' relief, for that is the very reason we suffer!

I am reminded of Daniel, who was thrown into a lions pit for His unabashed worship of the only true God. Later when they checked on him to their utter amazement he was alive and sitting with the lions.When he emerged, there was not a single scratch on his body, and he was freed. Could it be that God subjects us to these tests for our own freedom? Consider this: just like Daniel, we are less inhibited and tied down as servants for Christ after we have been tested than we were before we were tested. Rejoice! Christ did not suffer in vain, and neither do you.

Lord, thank you so much for allowing us to share in your heartbreak so that we may know you better. I pray that you would be glorified in my hardships. Do not relieve me of these struggles until I am ready to emerge from the furnace as the free and passionate Christ-follower you are making me to be! In Jesus' name, Amen.

Emily Jones