Fan the Flames of Joy
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12 (ESV)
A few years ago, I was watching another beautiful sunset from our apartment. As I watched the last rays disappear behind the mountains, I saw some flames and plumes of smoke rising. The flames quickly spread, causing one of the worst fires on that particular mountain in many years. As I watched, I was saddened to see the rich, natural vegetation being destroyed by the fire. A few days later, I spoke to one of the firefighters who had been out fighting the blaze. He explained that the fires are actually good for the natural Fynbos vegetation. If they don’t go through the fire, they become unproductive and could become locally extinct. He went on to explain that species, like Proteas, release fire-resistant seeds into the soil. The heat from the fire and chemicals in the smoke trigger germination in the nutrient-rich ash. This ensures the growth of a new generation of Proteas that are more robust and resilient.
Joy in the Fire
When the fire spread along the mountain, it left devastation in its wake. I was so focused on what I saw with my natural eyes and was unaware of what was happening beneath the surface. As followers of Jesus Christ, we will experience the heat of fiery trials. The heat of these trials will cause us to look at our hardships and see their distressing effects. But what we don’t see is what God is doing in our trials. God is using our trials to germinate the seeds that He has planted in our hearts. The seeds of His perfect grace so that we can stand emboldened in Him in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). The seeds of faith that will be tested, but will cause our endurance to grow (James 1:2-4). Seeds of peace that go beyond our understanding and will watch over our hearts (Philippians 4:7). As God germinates these, and other seeds in our hearts, He will help us to consider our trials as an opportunity for great joy.
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4 (NLT)
We can have this great joy, knowing that God causes everything to work together for our good, because we love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). This great joy will be seen by others so that Christ is glorified.
All our difficulties are only platforms for the manifestations of His grace, power and love. Hudson Taylor
Reflection: Are you going through a fiery trial? Ask God to show you the seeds that you cannot see that He wants to germinate and grow in your life.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being with me in this trial that I am going through. Show me the seeds You have planted in my heart. Germinate and cause them to grow so that I can consider my trials as an opportunity for great joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.
