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 The Whole World Plays Hurt
How Can God Be Good if He Allows All This Evil?
What is God Doing While We Suffer?
Pain: God’s Bullhorn
Refined Like Silver
Exemplary Suffering
God Has a Better Idea
God Has Scars Too
Comfort for Julie
God Wants to Comfort You
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Why Do Bad Things Happen?
Refined Like Silver
Have you ever observed someone refining silver? The silversmith places the precious metal over an intense flame until it melts. With utmost patience, he must sit for a long time, periodically removing the impurities that rise to the top until the silver is pure and fit to be fashioned into a beautiful work of art. The Bible says that God is like a refiner who sits and purifies silver (Malachi 3:3). When we are tried by fire, the Lord can remove the impurities of sin from our character, and thus make us into something exquisitely beautiful.
How does the silversmith know when all the impurities have been refined from the silver? When he can see his own face reflected in the smooth surface of the molten metal. That is God’s goal as well. He allows trials to come our way, not to hurt us or discourage us, but so that the image of our faithful Father will be seen more clearly in our lives. And then we will recognize that God does indeed work out all things for our good.
The Bible tells the story of Jacob, a fellow who always looked out for himself and was an expert at tricking others. How did God refine Jacob? The Lord allowed him to be deceived by his uncle. Finally, the discipline had its effect, and the impurity of deception was removed from Jacob’s character.
Once a couple prided themselves in their well-behaved children and secretly criticized parents who seemed unable to control their kids. Then God saw fit to bless that couple with another child who was very strong-willed. By means of this unruly child, the parents learned humility and were able to console others with independent children.
God allows trials to come to us is so that we will be refined, and become more compassionate people. Our problem is that often we do not want to be improved. This attitude is aptly illustrated in the Argentine comic strip “Mafalda.” The character Felipe never wants to do his homework. One day he imagines himself at the front door where a salesman offers him Willpower Pep Pills. Felipe buys the pills and after taking them, jubilantly shouts, “They’re fantastic! I can’t wait to do homework!” Right then, he is awakened from his daydream by the ringing of the doorbell. Believing that the salesman from his daydream is actually standing at the door, Felipe jumps up screaming, “No matter who it is, Mom, I’m not at home!” Often we are like Felipe, children who do not want to receive the discipline necessary for us to grow up and become responsible.
A good father disciplines his son, not because he dislikes him, but because he loves him and wants him to be successful in life. It is the same way, but even more so, with our heavenly Father. He disciplines us for our good, so that we might share in His holiness. This is why the Bible advises us: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).
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