The Good In The Bad

When my girls had to be tested for my BRCA2 mutation (breast cancer) I was so scared. I will never forget learning that I had handed it down. I had so much guilt. Finally I would thank God for the blessing of knowing so we could do precautionary things.

I know from my journey that God brought many blessings from that time. While it was the hardest year of my life I would not trade the blessings that came from it. The best part was the growth in my faith so I kept telling God, "I trust You God". I learned during my journey that God refines us like gold. When a goldsmith polishes his gold he has to clean out all of the trash and impurities. When he can see his reflection then he knows it is refined. 1 Peter 1: 7, "... so then the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

The pain God allows in our life is purposeful. A refiner's fire does not destroy, it refines. Because of using fire there will always be fear and trembling in the process. As the heat intensifies in your life, know that the Lord will never leave you nor forsake you. Malachi 3:3, 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify....and refine them like gold and silver.' As we trust Him to use our trials to cleanse our character and purify our hearts, we will begin to see the 'silver lining.' Our faith will be greater which is worth more than gold and will result in praise, glory and honor to Jesus Christ!"