Years ago, someone took a sledgehammer to my heart and left me shattered. The life I’d led splintered into a million pieces.

At the time, I thought I’d lost everything. But looking back now, I see how God used that time to empty me of everything that didn’t matter. I was left with nothing in my heart but God.

Empty is not always bad. Sometimes empty is a Providential gift to help you lose your pride and embrace the all-consuming fire of His presence.

This weekend, I remembered how it felt — how it felt to lose it all and find God was enough.

I smiled as I realized I’d lost my former life, but I’d found a God who is faithful.

When you end up alone holding just a Bible and your broken heart, often that is where the real work of refining begins.

How the Word Refines

The Word breaks up the stony hard places of our hearts.

William Kroll challenges: “Better a shattered heart than a hardened heart.” When we grow to love anything more than the the Lord, our God will sledgehammer our idols right off the altar of our hearts. A broken heart that tenderly bends to His will is best for us.

“Is not My word like fire?” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?” (Jeremiah 23:29)

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! …The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:8 & 18)

The Word burns away any impurities cluttering up our heart.

Let’s face it — our hearts are easily distracted and led astray. God’s Word brings healing warmth when we are growing cold and need a gentle reminder, but sometimes, our hearts need a purging in the heat of the flames. Like David, we need to cry out and ask God to “create a clean heart in us and renew a steadfast spirit within us.” (Psalm 51:10)

“Come close to the one true God, and He will draw close to you. Wash your hands; you have dirtied them in sin. Cleanse your heart, because your mind is split down the middle, your love for God on one side and selfish pursuits on the other.” (James 4:8, Voice)

“For every word God speaks is sure and every promise pure. His truth is tested, found to be flawless, and ever faithful. It’s as pure as silver refined seven times in a crucible of clay.” (Psalm 12:6, TPT)

God is the Master Craftsman, and He is building something beautiful with our lives. The refining process is painful, but in the end we will emerge reflecting His glory. If you are in the  fire and facing  great affliction right now, I want to encourage you to get into the Word as much as possible.

I’ve created a one-page printable with 10 Blessings for the Student of the Word to help you get started. Download a copy and read through these sweet promises every morning to remind you God’s Word is powerfully at work in your life. Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and  grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library.

Introducing the Refined Series

Fire refines. First God, breaks our pride into tiny pieces. Then, He melts away our impurities in a crucible of affliction. Every fleck of fleshy fluff rises to the surface and is removed until we reveal His image.

This year, I want to stop fearing the fire and pray:

Lord, refine me through the flame.

For 2018, I asked God to give me a word to guide my year, and He whispered the word  “Refine.”  For 10 months, Bruce and I have been walking through the fire and trying to not resist the refining work He is doing in us.

I am a very slow learner, and recently it occurred to me I should step aside and create more space to listen and learn during this season. I long to sit down for a heart-to-heart chat with a wise friend who will remind me the fire has a grander purpose. Thankfully, I am blessed to know several women who’ve walked through the fire and emerged beautifully refined, and I’ve invited them to share their story here with the Wildfire Faith Community.

Next week, Debbie Kitterman will kick off our “Refined” series and share her heart on a subject I really struggle with — Change. Change is hard. Change is refining.

God has promised that the fire will not consume us, but transform us. The furnace of affliction serves a grander purpose..

God refines us to bring out the beautiful reflection of Jesus.

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WANT TO GO DEEPER AND learn how to create space for a regular heart to heart chat with Jesus? CHECK OUT MY COACHING SERVICES TO HELP YOU develop a plan to  Refuel with rest and soul care.

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