When You are Refined by Transitions
Desperately we waited for answers as we sat by the hospital bed where my four-year old little girl was strapped down so she wouldn’t yank out her breathing tube. She was having seizures, hallucinations and ultimately had a blood plasma transfer. During the three weeks we were in the ICU of Children’s hospital, I experienced dramatic highs and lows of seeing God comfort and care for us through the support of the body of Christ. I felt deep wrenching pain when my daughter didn’t recognize me and hallucinated I was someone else trying to get her as she cried out for me.
Transitions and the unexpected have a way about exposing what we really believe about God. They open up our eyes to places of our hearts and minds we didn’t even know were there.
Two of our other kids, who we adopted at birth and are biological brothers, we’ve come to understand in the course of the last year have severe mental illness. Their explosive anger comes as quickly as turning on a faucet and over minor things like what is for dinner. Dealing with their daily explosions made the hospital visit feel like a retreat. Our life has been a constant place of transition trying to figure out and get each kid the help they need.
The boys constant irritability and opposition has brought us to a place of desperation for Jesus I didn’t know was possible. And exposed deep down doubts about God that never would have been exposed if all this didn’t happen. The cumulation of the boys and my little girl in the hospital brought thoughts to my mind like, “Is God powerless?” “Is He weak?” It has brought lies out of darkness and into the light. And when things are in the light they can be exposed for what they are, lies, rather than grow pungent in darkness.
What we believe about God is the most important thing about us and effects everything we think, say and do. Just as a crucible heats metals with intense heat to create something new and the smelter applies heat to extract out base metal and burn away impurities, the Lord uses intense transitions to purify our hearts and minds — to extinguish lies we believe about Him. “The crucible for silver and a smelter for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.” (Prov. 17:3)
Maybe your transition didn’t come in an ER room or through mental illness but is still all too real. Perhaps your unexpected has brought thoughts about God to your mind you have never thought before. The propensity to believe things not true about God has always been there, but opportunity to believe it was not. God cares and loves us enough to expose the parts of us that will hurt us and others. Perhaps your situation is the means God wants to use to bring the refinement, to root out the lies you believe about Him. Perhaps what you believe about Him is so important that He would allow the frustration of transition to expose lies as He did me.
Though God is allowing changes we never intended, we can know that nothing in his plan will ultimately harm us, and everything in his plan will ultimately be good (Romans 8:28), His grace will always be sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9) and the One who examines the thoughts and emotions is a righteous God. (Ps 7:9)
As we face changes, we need to cling to the truth about who God is. He is an anchor big enough and strong enough to hold our souls in the midst of life’s storms. Some changes will feel like a tiny ripple, and others feel like a ten-foot wave. But no matter what changes we face, we need not fear, hide or despair. Our rock and anchor will help us through every step. He tells us to, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
So when change seems to smack you in the face, fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of your faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross and sat down at the right hand of God.
When your circumstances expose lies you believe about God, consider it a gift because the lie loses its power.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Rom. 15:13)
When your circumstances expose lies you believe about God, consider it a gift because the lie loses its power.
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Meet Laura:
Laura’s desire is to point to Jesus and lead people to be in awe of God. She is married and has six kids. She and her husband have been in full-time ministry since 2002 serving with Master Plan Ministries. Laura has extensive experience leading Bible studies, discipling women, speaking to groups and is the Founder of the internationally popular blog MissionalWomen.com that helps women live on mission for the glory of God. She has written seven books/Bible studies, designed two popular ministry tools and has created journals for quiet times for many books of the Bible. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram.
The Refined Series
Fire refines. First God, breaks our pride into tiny pieces. Then, He melts away our impurities in a crucible of affliction. Every fleck of fleshy fluff rises to the surface and is removed until we reveal His image.
This year, I want to stop fearing the fire and pray:
Lord, refine me through the flame.
For 2018, I asked God to give me a word to guide my year, and He whispered the word “Refine.” For 10 months, Bruce and I have been walking through the fire and trying to not resist the refining work He is doing in us.
I am a very slow learner, and recently it occurred to me I should step aside and create more space to listen and learn during this season. I long to sit down for a heart-to-heart chat with a wise friend who will remind me the fire has a grander purpose. Thankfully, I am blessed to know several women who’ve walked through the fire and emerged beautifully refined, and I’ve invited them to share their story here with the Wildfire Faith Community once a month.
God has promised that the fire will not consume us, but transform us.
Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and grab a copy of the Refined Manifesto our Faith Fuel Library.
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