I came across the following story while I have been serving
as a missionary in the Florida Jacksonville area for the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!.
Very powerful!
-The Refiners Fire-
There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter 3, they came across verse three which says, "He will set as a refiner; and purifier of silver." (Malachi 3:3) This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study. That week this woman called up a silver smith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silvers smith he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were the hottest to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot-- then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.
She asked the silver smith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silver smith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"
He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy-- when I can see my image in it!"
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you.
-Unknown Author.
I would like to add my witness that I know that the Lord is very aware of us! He is aware of all that we are going through day to day, and even moment to moment. He knows who we are and what we need to do to become as He is! Everyone has their own "refiners fire" that they MUST go through. There is not one of us that is exempt from going through this process.....be patient and know that the Lord will NEVER give you more than you can handle.He ALWAYS has his eye on YOU!!
