refined by the fire

Living your life on purpose (God's purpose) will come with trials and tribulations. However, Romans 8:28 promises that "All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose." Your struggles, that thorn in your flesh, that heartbreak is all being used to ascend you straight into the GREAT plans God has for your life. Not only are you becoming the version that God created you to be, but on the way up, God will trust you to bring others out of the very pits that you once found yourself in. 

Patience and humility are two traits crucial for stepping into your God-given purpose. You don't just become patient and humble overnight; it requires deep introspection that usually comes in the form of a serious trial or trials. If we're always winning, it's easy for us to become boastful in our own abilities. Its when we go through real trials or serious refining that we realize that truly, we are nothing without the grace of God.  

The refinement process exposes our flaws, insecurities, and areas in our lives where we are falling short. As we prepare to enter another year, reflect on some areas that's God has been touching in your life. Spend time thinking about how you can focus on cultivating a more intimate relationship with The One who first loved you. Do this, and everything will begin to fall into place. 

Contrary to what popular "hustle culture" tells us, it's important to take breaks. Sometimes your spirit needs to be refueled; this is a call to temporarily put the demands of the world on pause and get into the quiet place with The One who formed you in your mother's womb. Don't allow yourself to become so distracted by your obligations and personal desires that you neglect The One who gave you those things.

Refinement is a process and healing isn't linear. Allow God to shower you with His grace that draws us into deeper connection with Him. Failure is just as much a part of the process as winning is; watch how God uses your failures, challenges, and weaknesses to refine you and push you into your destiny. "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:9

Sometimes in order for us to step into all that God has for us, He has to lead us into a season of isolation. During this time, we experience singleness, disconnection from friends and family, and even a sense of loneliness. What if I were to tell you that it's all happening for your good? That it's all happening so that you can further cultivate your relationship with the one who created you. 

God is faithful to complete the good thing He started in us. However, the completion happens in HIS timing, not our own. Be careful not to rush the process, fall back into old habits, or fall victim to comparison. You're co-creating a life that's literally going to bless generations to come, of course it's taking you a bit longer. 

God has a plan for all of us but before he reveals that plan, sometimes he will allow life to heat up and at times, life can feel like it's too hot to handle. It's in these moments that we are being refined; all impurities and imperfections are being brought to the surface so that we can truly become the purest Gold used to advance the kingdom of Heaven.