Focus on The Refiner

Triumphant Victorious Reminders
Inspired by the Holy Spirit
Written by: Teresa Criswell

"When trouble comes 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 ~

"Noooo.  Please noooo."  The sweet little boy winced and cried as he was incredibly frightened of the shot the doctor was about to administer into his little arm. As panic could be seen rising up in his little face, suddenly it was as though I could hear the most calming voice say, "Tommy, look at mommy.  I'm right here.  You are okay sweetie. Don't look at anything else. Tommy look at me honey."  As he allowed his mom to coax and calm him, his focus on mom remained constant as the shot was administered.  Although he experienced the stinging pain, it was immediately interrupted with the doctor's voice saying, "Well, look at that!  You're all finished, brave young man."

As I saw this illustration in my mind it substantiated what I saw in my mind earlier this week. All I can say is it was perhaps like a ticker going across my mind the following words:
          "Do not allow circumstances to define you; instead allow God to refine you." 
As I was excited about the cool 'ring' to this quote, the more I realized the meaning, reality set in as I realized the refining process is incredibly painful.  So with that, it was as though the Lord gave me explanation to the latter part of the quote.  I believe the Spirit of the Living God was sharing a whisper of hope with me, and here is what I 'saw':
        
         "When I refine you, do not focus on the refining process, 
          focus on Me Your Refiner and you will see 
          that I Am your 'Ever Present Help' in times of lack, 
          in times of abundance and everywhere else in between. 
          I Am The Lord Your God."

The triumphant, victorious reminder in the refining process is that we remember that we are not alone.  When we finally make ourselves aware to His presence, although what we are going through may be more painful than we could ever imagine, the remembrance of knowing Who is with us trumps all pain because we are reminded that He is right there.  

Today, listen to His calming voice say, "Look at me daughter.  Look at me son.  You are okay, I am right here.  Don't look at the fire, look at Me Who brings you through the fire."

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