Review: The Refiner’s Fire
The Refiner’s Fire is a poetry collection about God’s faithfulness in the midst of extreme pain. Written by an up and coming young author with autism, it powerfully communicates the hard emotions of real life, touching on themes of faith, anxiety, bullying and mental illness.
I’ve heard it said that God is the Potter
and that I am the clay,
that the agony I feel all throughout
is merely Him shaping me.
But I don’t see the shaping.
I don’t see how this could be turning me into
the woman He destined eons before the creation of time.
I’ve been told I’m admirable
for not letting my struggles
break me down,
but those who say that are blind to the cracks;
they don’t see that all I’m doing is surviving.
Abba, I don’t like this.
It feels like I’m being set on fire,
like I’m being diminished to ashes.
How can You be refining me
if all You’re doing is breaking me?
– The Refiner’s Fire
Goodreads AmazonBarnes & Noble ReviewThe Refiner’s Fire by Rue Mortensen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher/author. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I’m not much of a poet myself, but this collection of poetry was undeniably raw and beautiful. The author’s vulnerability and honesty was moving, and her emotions/fears/desires were certainly something I could relate with even if I haven’t gone through the exact trials she has. Overall, such a sweet reminder that the difficulties and tribulations of this life all work together for the good of those who love the Lord, and those painful times in life are simply the Refiner’s fire – for in the end, this fire is only to purge the dross and leave the gold.
