Far too often, urgency burns within me to get my own way. Just call me a strong-willed gal, but ‘oy, what an inner tussle this causes! In His goodness, however, my Father shows me a better way to live. God refines through the way of suffering.

Raise your hand if you like suffering. No? Me either. At the surface it reeks of pain and fear. But underneath, spiritual beauty unfolds. We’re wise to embrace it for the refining purposes of God.

What’s Suffering?

My family and I recently visited Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. Outside the chapel doors hung a listing of graduates. If recall correctly, asterisks followed twenty-two names. Martyrs. Those twenty-two suffered and died for Christ.

I gulped. What a high price!

We may never experience martyrdom, but what if God allows suffering in our lives, our everyday decisions as the center act, to refine us? Will we allow Him?

Consider pressing and uncomfortable situations. Will we demand our own way and seek the route of comfort?

How about those times when we whisper about others or openly complain, ignoring the inner nudge for quiet?

What about the rush to worry about a loved one versus settling in with prayer—or holding close-fisted offense in hard situations versus offering intentional, peace-giving forgiveness?

Do we simply charge forward in life without inquiring about God’s will?

Beauty from refining awaits us when we refuse selfish demands.

God’s Ways

God’s ways and thoughts don’t mirror human’s ways. His rise higher.

“’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways,’ says Yahweh. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” (Isaiah 55:8-9, WEB)

As an analytical, I house a need to understand. And girl, that sure feels like suffering at times! Because many of us trust ourselves more than others—even God.

When He prompted me to follow my husband as Tony re-embarked on a Naval career, it made no sense. Why would I drop my corporate job? Leave my degree in the dust? Follow a man who tucked a few college credits under his belt, then charged back into the enlisted ranks?

No thank you.

“Finish the degree. Go back in as an officer,” I whined. “Higher pay waits there. Better treatment, too.”

But God’s ways aren’t my ways. His are higher.

I suffered by not getting what “I” wanted. (Trust me. That’s suffering for a strong-willed one!) God used the decision to rejoin the Navy, instead, to refine my trust in Him.

When I thought we’d have no money, my husband and I rejoiced over $10 extra each month. When conditions remained sparse or niceties lacked, He brought provision to our door—like the paper towels that “someone” threw onto our lawn.

God even led my husband and me to wonderful churches. In those houses of worship, we grew through prayer, the Holy Spirit, missions, serving, and gathering with other believers. He brought people into our lives that remain with us years later, local folks substituting for long-distance biological grandparents, friends in whom we entrusted our most inner thoughts, and neighbors who remained on standby for times of need. They planted seeds for Christ and simply loved my children, husband, and me well.

God provided—and continues to do so today. (Remind me of this if I waver, okay?!)

Becoming Christ-Like

These everyday decisions seem small, but God uses them to help us become Christ-like.

Read Hebrews 11. Wade through the folks who set their will on the altar, sacrificing ideology, self-will, common sense, and more.

One powerful Bible verse is Hebrews 12:2. Jesus endured the cross due to the joy set before Him.

The pain. The agony. This monster of death attempting to overcome Him with such atrocity and demeaning display.

But Jesus refused temptation’s powerplay.

“Not my will,” He said. “Yours, Father.” (My paraphrase of Matthew 26:39.)

Jesus sacrificed self-will for the power and righteousness of the Father’s. The choice remains for us, too.

I desire to refuse to run ahead with what “I” want, but to sacrifice my will for that of my Father’s. I long to be refined so that the reflection folks see in me is purely the golden goodness and likeness of Christ. You too?

As God calls us to this better way, to suffer our will for His, let’s simply trust Him. And watch the glory unfold through His refining fire.

Come, Holy Spirit, counsel us. Show us Your will, Your way. Refine us through suffering in Your beautiful way. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Surrender to the way of suffering and see God’s glory.

 

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Meet Kristi:

Kristi Woods is a writer and speaker but mostly a Jesus girl. She writes weekly and offers faith-building tools for a deeper walk with God at www.KristiWoods.net. She is published in various print and online publications, including Crosswalk.com, The Upper Room, and Chicken Soup for the Soul®. Kristi, her handsome, retired-from-the-Navy husband, and their three children survived a nomadic, military lifestyle and have set roots in Oklahoma—where she keeps close watch for tornadoes and good chocolate. Connect with Kristi at KristiWoods.net.

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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 once a month.

God has promised that the fire will not consume us, but transform us.

 

 Sign up today as a member of the Wildfire Faith Community and  grab a copy of the Refined Manifesto our Faith Fuel Library.

 

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 If you are visiting from Kristi’s today to read about the way of suffering,

welcome to my little space on the web!

Here you will find fuel for a wildfire faith to help you

• • LOVE DEEP: Fervently extend God’s kindness and grace to pesky people.
  • PRAY BIG: Go down fighting on your knees with fire in your bones.
  • HOPE FULL: Stay tethered to a confident anticipation that keeps your heart ablaze.
  • STAND STRONG: Rest courageously on God’s promises with red-hot resolve.

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SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE WEEKLY FAITH FUEL IN YOUR INBOX.

YOU’LL GET A FREE COPY OF “4 SUREFIRE WAYS TO IGNITE YOUR FAITH”

and access the practical resources in the Fatih Fuel Library for members.

 

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I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Join the Wildfire Faith Community and  grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to strengthen your step and breathe fresh wind into your weary spirit.  

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ARE YOU STRUGGLING TO LIVE LIFE BASED ON YOUR VALUES RATHER THAN OTHER PEOPLE’S EXPECTATIONS?  I CAN PARTNER WITH YOU TO HELP YOU CLARIFY THE CALLING GOD UNIQUELY CREATED YOU TO FULFILL

CHECK OUT MY COACHING SERVICES TO START WORKING ON A PLAN TO REFINE YOUR PASSION AND PURPOSE.

 

 

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ARE YOU LOOKING FOR RESOURCES TO FIRE UP YOUR FAITH?

Friends: As a social media influencer, I have a sweet list of my favorite resources to fuel a wildfire faith in my very own shop on Amazon.  (Note: I will get a little something back if you follow any of the links in this post and buy anything on this page. Thanks in advance if you do.).