The Crucibles of Life

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience [endurance]. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2-4

When He [God] has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Job 23:10

The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the Lord tests the hearts.

Proverbs 17:3

 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you…

1 Peter 4:12

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:7

He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver:
And He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver,
That they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

Malachi 3:3

Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver;
I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

Isaiah 48:10

“The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the Lord Jesus sees in us something precious which He desires to develop. If He saw in us nothing whereby He might glorify His name, He would not spend time in refining us. He does not cast worthless stones into His furnace. It is valuable ore that He refines. The blacksmith puts the iron and steel into the fire that he may know what manner of metal they are. The Lord allows His chosen ones to be placed in the furnace of affliction to prove what temper they are of and whether they can be fashioned for His work.”

Ministry of Healing pg.471

Many who sincerely consecrate their lives to God’s service are surprised and disappointed to find themselves, as never before, confronted by obstacles and beset by trials and perplexities. They pray for Christlikeness of character, for a fitness for the Lord’s work, and they are placed in circumstances that seem to call forth all the evil of their nature.

It is because God is leading them that these things come upon them.

Trials and obstacles are the Lord’s chosen methods of discipline and His appointed conditions of success….
In His providence He brings these persons into different positions and varied circumstances that they may discover in their character the defects which have been concealed from their own knowledge. He gives them opportunity to correct these defects and to fit themselves for His service. Often He permits the fires of affliction to assail them that they may be purified.

Ministry of Healing pg.470

Loud Cry Compendium