FIRES OF REFINEMENT: GROWING STRONGER THROUGH TRIALS
Have you ever found yourself in trials that shook your faith? A kind of challenge that tested your foundation in God? One of the questions many believers struggle with is, “Why do we still go through struggles and turbulent times even after giving our lives to Christ?” Having turned away from the past and from sin, where everything is now made new, why do we still experience storms in this newness? At times, these experiences can shake and challenge our faith. If you have ever felt this way, here is a word of assurance and peace to you: you are not alone. God desires the best for you, and your well-being greatly matters to Him.
The Scripture says, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). This is the joy we have in Christ, unlike the people of the world whose hope is uncertain. Our hope is rooted in Christ, knowing that even in pain, there is purpose. He also reminds us that the peace He gives is not as the world gives. As believers, we must remember that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). This is why we must stand firm in the place of prayer and remain steadfast in faith.
You must understand that difficult seasons come to strengthen us, for God will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. Tough times are often part of God’s process of building us into stronger vessels for His purpose. This is why we are called to walk by faith and not by sight. David, after his anointing, faced seasons of struggle that transformed him from a shepherd boy into a warrior and a king capable of leading men through battles. Many times, our struggles become our Cave of Adullam experience, a place of training, drilling, and preparation for greater exploits. It is a place of refinement where God strips away old patterns and weaknesses that may hinder our elevation.
Finally, as a child of God, learn to approach every trial with a seeking heart, looking up to God for understanding. Ask Him, “Lord, what lesson do You want me to learn here? What are You trying to show me through this process?” Do not waste your pain. Instead, allow it to birth greatness within you and shape you into the person God has called you to become.
Through the Fire: How God Walks With Us in Trials
Mind you this doesn’t just happen to unbelievers, it also happens to Christians, another occurrence in the bible that can prove that is when the disciples were in a boat and the sea was raging, even Jesus was on that boat and He was sleeping and then disciples came to wake Him up, and He stopped the storm, this also shows us that God doesn’t stay away from us when we are going through bad times in our lives, He is there with us, what we have to do is ask and He will come through for us as Christians. Just like what the Bible says in Matthew 7:9-11;
“Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
But how do we ask Him to help us? Firstly He must be with you, imagine what would have happened to the disciples if Jesus was not with them or if God wasn’t with the three Hebrew friends, so before God can help you He has to be with you, how do you invite God to be with you? by asking Him to be with you, accepting Jesus as your Lord and saviour and accepting that the sacrifice He made was for you, once you’ve accepted Jesus into your heart, and giving Him back your life, He can then be with you and then you can ask Him to help you whenever you are going through tough times in life, and He will answer just as He says in Matthew 7:7-8;
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
Don’t ever think you can do it by yourself, be humble enough to ask God to help you, imagine if the disciples said they could go through the storm by themselves, do you think it would have went well for them, even though they had former fishermen among them, always remember to ask, don’t be to proud or to caught up and overwhelmed by your situation to ask God, no trials is to big or too little for God to help you with.
Be rest assured that as long as you are a child of God, He will always be with you ready and available to walk with you and help you during trials, which can even make you stronger by increasing your faith in Him, so don’t let trials take you away from God, let them bring you closer because He wants to walk with you and He wants you to depend on Him to go through the trial, struggle, storm or bad season in your life, as long as God is with you, you will safely go through that trial, let’s look at this scripture from Proverbs 21:31;
“The horse is prepared against the day of battle: But safety is of the LORD.”
Shalom Shalom.
Anchored in the Storm: Testimonies of Unshakable Faith
Life is not a bed of roses, neither is it a smooth path without hurdles. We all experience both good and not-so-pleasant seasons. But what truly matters is the posture of our heart and our attitude during those seasons.
Job, a man described as blameless and upright, lost everything: his wealth, his children, and even his health. Yet, in the depths of his despair, he declared: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” Job 13:15 (NKJV)
The journey of faith is not the absence of pain or storms. It is the presence of total trust in God. Job definitely didn’t understand why he was suffering, but the knowledge of who God is became his anchor.
What is your knowledge of God?
What truths about Him can you hold on to when the storm rages?
There was a season in my life when I began to question God deeply about a particular situation. Slowly, I lost trust in Him and, to be honest, I even lost interest in the things of God. I just wanted to be left alone, on my own.
But one day, a friend of mine visited and talked sense unto my head, it then hit me hard that I hadn’t truly trusted God in that situation, even though I knew He was worthy of my trust. That night, I wept. I cried out to God and asked for His forgiveness. I came to realize that even when God seems silent or distant, He is still present.
There are times when it feels like God isn’t moving, but remembering what He has done in the past can reignite our faith. Because if He did it before, He will surely do it again as He is the same right now and the same God back then.
Peter out of the boat in the middle of a raging storm. As long as his eyes were fixed on Jesus, he walked on water. But when he became distracted by the wind and waves, he began to sink - “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.”
Matthew 14:30–31 (NIV).
Storms will come. Fear will try to rise. Doubts may scream louder than truth. But when we cry out to Jesus, He does not hesitate. He reaches out immediately.
As believers, we are expected to keep our eyes on Jesus more than on the storm.
What keeps us from being swept away is not our strength, but His. Our anchor is not in our ability to understand, but in who God is. His unchanging nature, His faithfulness, and His promises.
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)
When life gets shaky, our foundation must be God’s Word and His proven faithfulness. And if you find yourself in a storm right now, remember: your testimony is being written. These are the moments that build a faith that is tested, trusted, and unshakable.
It may sound like a cliche to tell you to be steadfast in your faith in God unshakably, but the truth is, that’s the only solution to avoid being overwhelmed by any unpleasant situation or season.
I pray for you that God will help you stay anchored Him, He will strengthen your trust and reminds you of how faithful and present He is in Jesus name.
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