Just as gold and silver are refined and purified by fire...

"I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure, just as gold and silver are refined and purified by fire. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, `These are my people,' and they will say, `The LORD is our God.' "

Zech 13:9

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Just in case you think I have magically forgotten all the trial I have been through over the past 5 years, think again. I have entered a season of rest. I don't know how long that season will last and I will never forget all that He has whispered to me in the darkness.

If you are going through a long trial, I am so sorry. I understand. I understand HOW HARD IT IS TO UNDERSTAND. I know what it is like when darkness blankets your every breath. Darkness that is waiting on you to wake up and prevents you from falling asleep at night. I know fighting against hopelessness with every ounce of strength that you have and being pushed years passed your capacity to endure. I know the temptation to feel that you have been forsaken.

Beloved, please know that God is nearer to you than you know or feel. That you are being changed. I like to call it spiritual bootcamp. God will sustain you. He will teach you His Word. He will show you His faithfulness. He prove to you that he really is all that you need and your daily bread. He will write His Word on the tablet of your heart.

He wrote this on mine...

"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.'

Isaiah 45:2,3

Know you have been chosen. You have been chosen for beauty. Chosen to be brought forth as gold. Chosen to be used by Him. Chosen to sit at His feet as He pours eternal truth into your soul. You are being summoned by name. Receive your treasure. Things are not as they seem. You are treasured and dearly loved. God has a specific calling on your life---ultimately that is to KNOW Him.

It is only a matter of time until we completely understand WHY we have gone through the certain trials God has allowed in our lives. When we see in full what we can now only see in part.

There is horrific pain in this world but Christ is our Redeemer and I KNOW that He lives.

Don't you dare stop hoping in the goodness of God to turn ashes into beauty and YOU into the image of His Son. And so we persevere. We never give up in prayer. We wait. We eagerly expect. And we hope...

"...we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ"

Titus 2:13

Our goal in life cannot be a trial-free experience or our comfort... that can only lead to massive disappointment. Our goal must be to hear these words~

"'Well done, good and faithful servant!"

Matt 25:23

Be Blessed~

From one wounded (yet loved and chosen) girl to another.

I can see your gold starting to sparkle- so can the world.

Don't you dare give up.

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his GOOD purpose."

Philippians 2:13

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Charles Spurgeon

Why have you dealt ill with your servant?-- Numbers 11:11

Our heavenly Father sends us frequent troubles to test our faith. If our faith is worth anything, it will stand the test. Gilt is afraid of fire, but gold is not: The imitation gem dreads being touched by the diamond, but the true jewel fears no test. It is a poor faith that can only trust God when friends are true, the body is healthy, and the business profitable; but it is true faith that rests in the Lord's faithfulness when friends are gone, the body is ailing, spirits are depressed, and the light of our Father's face is hidden. A faith that can say, in the deepest trouble, "Though he slay me, I will hope in him" is heaven-born faith. The Lord afflicts His servants to glorify Himself, for He is greatly glorified in the graces of His people, who are His own handiwork. When "suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope," the Lord is honored by these growing virtues. We would never know the music of the harp if the strings were left untouched, nor enjoy the juice of the grape if it were not trodden in the winepress, nor discover the sweet perfume of cinnamon if it were not pressed and beaten, nor feel the warmth of fire if the coals were not completely consumed. The wisdom and power of God are discovered by the trials through which His children are permitted to pass. Present afflictions tend also to heighten future joy. There must be shade in the picture to bring out the beauty of the light. Could we be so supremely blessed in heaven if we had not known the curse of sin and the sorrow of earth? Will peace not be sweeter after conflict, and rest more welcome after labor? Will the recollection of past sufferings not serve to enhance the bliss of the glorified?