BROKEN INTO BEAUTIFUL

Indeed, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested and chosen you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10 (Amp)

I think I can safely say that this is probably not a popular life verse. As if the furnace of affliction isn’t scary enough, some translations call it the furnace of suffering.

God’s will, we say that’s what we want. But what happens when God’s will and my will seem to be going in opposite directions? Unfortunately, because of the strength of the human will, God uses pain and brokenness as a teacher.

Opposite directions? Pain and brokenness? But I love Jesus. Shouldn’t my life make sense? Shouldn’t the oddly shaped pieces fit into their matching oddly shaped holes? We reason that God must not want brokenness because Jesus came that they may have life, and have it abundantly? 

Does abundant life mean easy sailing? Sadly, no. I don’t see many, well any, easy sailing lives in scripture. Paul said that trials produce endurance, and endurance strength in character, and character, a confident hope of salvation.

So, why do we avoid pain at all cost; in ourselves and in those we love? We’re the pain police, aren’t we? Our mantra is, deflect and/or alter any circumstance that may cause consequence. Whether it be avoiding bad or orchestrating good, protect at all cost!

But if God uses life experience and choice, which most definitely include pain and brokenness, to shape character, then aren’t we “protecting” ourselves and others right out of the will of God and into our own?

Am I willing to let God do in me that which makes what He planned for me in advance come to life in my human flesh? Are you? Do we really want to live out His purpose, His way?

Hebrews 12:11 says, For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].(Amp)

Chris Fabry said this recently on one of his radio broadcasts…

“This world, as it is, was not meant to assuage us, to fill us, to meet all of our needs…This world was meant to break our hearts…. It was designed to break our hearts, so that we would seek true life and not something else.” 

True life. He saved us. So true life is a life designed by God, for God.

In the refining process a silversmith dips the silver into the fire. A waste product called dross rises to the top and is removed. He dips and dips knowing that the more dross he removes, the higher the value of the metal. When he’s finished, his fuzzy reflection, in the purified silver, becomes clear.

God uses the same process with us. The more dross He removes, the more He sees His reflection. Cease striving and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10 NASB). 

In striving for a pain free life; to have more, be more, do more, living as if this life is most important, are you missing the beauty of knowing God intimately by trusting Him who created you on purpose, for purpose? And by avoiding the process He has chosen; do we risk missing the beauty in the making?

Let’s face it, pain stinks. But God will never waste a single moment of it. If we can find the courage to let God be God, in our lives and the lives of those we love, I believe we will witness the miracle of watching Him turn broken into beautiful.

Father, none of us would choose pain as our teacher. But as we read Your Word, we see You turn pain into beauty.  By nature, we’re protective. We naturally want to protect ourselves and those we love. But God, remind us that we don’t need protection from You. You love with an everlasting love. Help us to trust You in the circumstances You allow, knowing that You work all things for good…. All Things. We love you, In Jesus name, Amen.

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