In The Furnace of Affliction

Who said life would be easy? God never promised the road would be easy. He also never promised a victory without a fight. He did promise that everything would work together for the good to them that love Him, to them who are called according to His purpose. He never said it would be easy though.

Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10 KJV

I don’t know about you, I don’t know if your life’s journey has been paved and refined with the finer things in life… Mine has not. Don’t get me wrong. I am not complaining. Some months ago, God spoke a word for me to shift my perspective and in that I have learned as I have reflected on the pages on my life, the journey that brought me to where I am today, although I have been through the fire for what felt like time and time again; yes, I come out more and more clean each time and I have never been in the flames alone! God is with me. He is with me in the furnace. He is with me going in and when I get out of the furnace as well.

Sometimes when we are in the furnace of affliction we question why?! And may even think of it as a consequence or punishment. But, read that verse again. “I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” Some of us (me) where not only found, but chosen in the furnace of affliction. Nothing is done on accident. Everything serves a purpose. Let me encourage you not to despise being in the furnace of affliction.

*Original Image by A.B