HSD: Endure the Refining Process
Come here. Come take a walk with me.
“For my name’s sake I will defer My anger, and for My praise I will restrain it from you, so that I do not cut you off. Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” Isaiah 48: 9-10 NKJV
Are you familiar with the gold refining process? Well, there are multiple processes used to refine gold, but to keep this concept simple, we will focus on how they are alike.
Each process begins with dissolving crude gold into molten gold. Once in this molten state, each process employs a different strategy to separate the pure gold from other metals which compromise its purity, thus compromising its value.
The Holy Spirit has been very straightforward with this message...and persistent.
He has downloaded this message to me using several different analogies, so I am sure that, just like myself, there are so many out there who need to really get this.
And I mean really get this.
As I was cooking dinner, I heard a small still voice say, “you asked for this.”
Now, a little context: I have recently weathered a pretty stormy season. There were days where it felt like everything was falling apart. So many challenges have popped up beyond my control and I often found myself thinking, “Lord, whatever I’ve done wrong. I repent. Expose it and I won’t do it again.”
And as the pressure mounted—fast after fast, prayer after prayer—situations worsened with more persecution, more financial trouble and random threats, more marital challenges, and more isolation…
A few days ago, I drove to the nearby running track I go to for my daily runs and couldn’t get out of the car. I felt paralyzed by weight and heaviness. Finally, I said, “Lord, just prepare me. I do not care about anything I do or don’t get in this life, what I keep vs what I lose. I just want to be ready to come home when You come back. Just make sure I’m ready to never feel this heaviness again when it is time to finish eternity with You. I just want to be with You.”
*Phew* yea, I had a moment friend.
So when I was cooking and I heard, “You asked for this,” I was puzzled…until I was clocked.
Suddenly, I remembered all the times I begged for God to bless me with all that He has for me.
All the times I called on Him to use me for His Glory.
All the times I said, “Lord, give me every last drop of the anointing you have for me.”
All the times I came into agreement with His Favor and His trailing prosperity in all areas.
Then the Word began to pour into my spirit:
“Do NOT ask for success or elevation if you are not prepared to deal with the process of refinement by faith.”
**Whewww. Okay, let me rub my chest a little bit. That one hit me at a weird angle.**
The message continued to pour as a gently licked my wound.
“For God is like a refining fire (Malachi 3:2-3), and you will be tested in the furnace of affliction before you can receive His promises (Isaiah 48:10 NKJV).”
For someone to be recognized for the value he/she carries, he/she must first be broken down and then separated from and purged of impurities/corruptible/unproductive traits before he/she is built back up again.
What does this mean?
God is just a dad who wants His children to be able to manage and sustain what He gives them.
He will not give you something irresponsibly.
He will not give you a car without first teaching you how to drive and maintain it, even if the process is tedious and dragging.
He will not give you more if you crumble under the weight of less (Matthew 25:21), even if he sees you’re uncomfortable as you are.
And He will certainly not give you anything you ask for if your heart isn’t in the right place (James 4:3).
And as a great Dad who just wants to “spoil” His children, the only way He can do this is by preparing you to receive what He has for you and what He has placed in your heart’s desire to pray for concerning you (See upcoming post "Stay in the House for more on this analogy).
So…
If you have been asking the Lord for success, you must be prepared to handle His refining process.
Just like jewelers do not typically prefer crude gold. The gold must be melted down and built back up sans impurities for them to hold readily identifiable value to the masses...
If your world feels like its falling apart, people are leaving your life or have “canceled” you, it feels like you’re fighting for your life and reputation, the means of financial resources seem to be snatched right from under you, spiritual attacks in different forms may be finding you left and right…
You may be smack dab in the middle of your refining process. He must ensure that when He gives you all He has for you, He does not lose you to the distraction of the blessings.
You are also being refined because the version of yourself with readily identifiable value must be curated.
You as you stand today are not ready for the weight of what comes with being readily identifiable as valuable to many.
The misunderstandings that are provoked when success meets a person.
The challenges which come when people believe you have more than them.
The pain that comes with the lies that are conjured up when God elevates and exposes you.
The spirits that move with swift fierceness against you and all aspects of your existence when the glory of God and His Favor become blatantly evident in your life.
Let me tell you something…
If you cannot manage the pressure coming from the refining process,
You are not ready for what you are asking for.
It’s just that simple.
And it stings to hear.
I know. I am with you feeling it too.
Your faith must prevail above it all, and you must endure the process understanding that who the Lord loves He also corrects. He refines and develops and carefully molds and makes good people who will remember where they come from and how they got there just like any great dad would do (Hebrews 12:6-8).
He’s just being a really good dad.
We must learn to stand still, fight when necessary, and endure.
My sibling-in-Christ…
Ask the Lord to help you rise to the occasion of the process you’re undergoing.
Ask the Lord to strengthen you as you’re being melted down for refinement.
Ask the Lord to help you get out of your own way so delays will never be your portion again.
But whatever you do…remember that the Lord’s promises do not come without necessary refinement.
Everything you are experiencing is very necessary.
And is evident that you are being prepared to receive all that He has for you according to His Riches in Glory.
You asked to receive the Lord’s promises and Will for your life.
Endure the refinement process by strengthened faith toward the Lord.
Reflect on this and receive this.
But no matter what you do…
Be sure to do it with Love.
Holy Spirit, I thank You for this Word today. Please let it meet the eyes of every person who needs to hear this so that they may be encouraged to move forward and lead others to you with Love. We love You, Lord, and we thank You. In Jesus’ Name to the Glory of the Father by the leading of the Holy Spirit, we thank You. Amen.
