— Spring Lynn Booth

Refining Fires of Trial

There is a misunderstanding woven quietly into much of modern Christianity — a belief that if we truly follow Christ, our lives will become easier.

But that is not what the gospel teaches.

Jesus never promised continued comfort.

He promised His presence.

He said plainly:

“If the world hate you, know that it hated Me before it hated you.”

— John 15:18

And again:

“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

— John 16:33

To follow Christ is not to avoid suffering.

It is to walk through it with Him.

The image above captures this truth beautifully — a soul standing in fire, yet not consumed, surrounded by divine light, not abandoned, but held.

The Refiner’s Fire

Scripture tells us not to be surprised by suffering:

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.”

— 1 Peter 4:12

The refining fire of God does not come to destroy us — it comes to reveal us.

The Holy Spirit forces us to see the error of our ways.

He reflects back to us our infirmities of heart , that we might see ourselves truly.

He removes the blinding mask of pride.

We begin to see all of our defects and blemishes.

We begin to see the heart ache , fears, and doubts that cripple us and hinder our maturity in Christ Jesus . 

And in that unveiling, He shows us the Savior whom we have pierced.

“They shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him…”

— Zechariah 12:10

This is not condemnation.

This is conviction a holy awakening.

This is the sacred grief of repentance — where pride collapses, self-deception falls away, and grace finally becomes precious.

Purification of Gold is not refined by gentle warmth.

It is refined by blazing heat.

In the process of being tested and pressed on every side and brought low we are made pure holy in the likeness of Jesus that we may Endure Well and one day inter in to The Holy of Holies 

A Personal Confession

This is my confession:

I have suffered much in obedience to God.

Not because He is cruel, distant , or unkind. 

But because obedience requires surrender, and surrender often requires loss, endurance, and trust beyond understanding.

There have been seasons when obedience cost me more than just my comfort but it cost me everything.

There have been times when faith demanded perseverance.

More often than not those moments required walking His path alone by faith. 

Yet He has remained faithful.

“My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

— 2 Corinthians 12:9

Obedience is better than sacrifice. 

(KJV):

“And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

— 1 Samuel 15:22

Temporary Troubles — Eternal Purpose

Scripture reminds us:

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

— 2 Corinthians 4:17

Our troubles are temporary.

They are not uncommon to man.

They are not meaningless.

They are not wasted.

Every tear.

Every loss.

Every lonely night.

Every misunderstood season.

God uses them all — not only to shape us, but to strengthen others.

“Blessed be God… who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble.”

— 2 Corinthians 1:3–4

Our testimony becomes a bridge of hope for those still walking their own valleys.

Why We Are Called to Testify

We are not merely permitted to share our testimony —

we are commanded to.

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”

— 1 Peter 3:15

We testify not because life is easy, but because faith is forged and tested in adversity.

Our stories whisper to weary souls:

Hold on.

God is still near.

This season will not last forever.

And sometimes, that whisper is enough to keep someone standing.

God Does Not Leave Us Alone in the Fire

Though we endure trials, God does not abandon us in them.

“The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”

— Exodus 14:14

“The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.”

— Psalm 34:7

“He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”

— Psalm 91:11

Nowhere is this more beautifully displayed than in the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Bound and thrown into the furnace, they were expected to perish. But when King Nebuchadnezzar looked into the flames, he cried:

“Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt.”

— Daniel 3:25

Not even the smell of smoke clung to them.

God did not prevent the fire.

He entered it with them.

The Lowly, the Meek, and the Brokenhearted

Scripture tells us that God draws especially near to those who are wounded and humble in heart:

“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

— Psalm 34:18

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

— Matthew 5:5

“To revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

— Isaiah 57:15

God does not despise weakness.

He meets us there , even asks it of us. 

KJV):

“And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

— 2 Corinthians 12:9

And the very next line says:

“Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

— 2 Corinthians 12:10

Enduring Well

We are not only called to endure.

We are called to endure well.

With humility.

With trust.

With hope.

With faith anchored beyond what we can see.

Enduring well does not mean we never falter.

It does not mean we never grow weary.

It does not mean we always understand.

It means we remain faithful — even when the path is hard.

Because God is faithful to remain with us.

Closing Reflection

Our testimonies are given for the edification and encouragement of the saints.

And just as others are strengthened by the stories of God’s faithfulness in our lives,

we too are strengthened by remembering what He has already done.

In remembrance, we find courage.

In testimony, we find endurance.

In faith, we find hope.

And in hope, we find the strength to endure well — for the glory of His kingdom.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”

Hebrews 10:24–25

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together… but exhorting one another: and so much the more, we see the day approaching.”

Romans 1:12

“That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.”

— Proverbs 27:17

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

From my quiet heart to yours,
may you hear His whisper…

— Spring Lynn Booth

Visit:whispers-in-the-quiet.org
Email: Hopeministries2010@yahoo.com

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