Deeper Understanding of Trials

So I was going through my files today, deciding which ones to keep and which ones to delete. As I was doing this, I came across this story that I got form my Grandma Tew. I guess I decided to post it because I know in life many of us can feel like we are about to break at different times of our lives as we are faced with different trials. However, we just need to remember that it is for our profit and learning and the Lord only ever has our best interest at heart. These last few months I have reaffirmed to me that maybe what I need to do is pray for added strength to face my trials and afflictions as opposed to praying for them to end. Anyway, here is the story.

Malachi 3:3 says: “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” This verse puzzled some women in a bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the women called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: “He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy – when I see my image in it.”

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. God will always be there for us, just pray to him and He will give you the strength you need.
We love you all and hope you have a fabulous weekend -- Chase 'n Ashlee