Transforming Trials

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

This well known passage of Scripture has been a source of strength and comfort to God's children ever since Paul first penned them. Knowing that God will make something good out of the bad things in our life gives us great peace and assurance as we walk through dark valleys.

But if you read on in this passage, you will discover a more profound and exciting purpose for the "all things" spoken of in verse 28.  "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son...." (Romans 8:29a). In other words, God has orchestrated events in the life of His children so that each one is part of His perfect plan to transform us into the likeness of Christ!

This particular revelation has become very personal to my wife and me in light of some recent trials. Our tendency in the past has been to quote Romans 8:28 during tribulations as a type of postponed blessing as if to say, "We know that God will one day bring something good out of the bad things that are happening to us." While our God often creates beauty from ashes, it is a much more wondrous thing to see His handiwork while the trial is taking place. God has personally designed every circumstance to purge us of the self-life to which we cling so dearly and to perform right now His purpose of making us more like our Savior!

It is said that a silversmith knows that his smelting process is complete when he can see his image reflected in the pure melted silver below. No doubt the trials of life merely make up a special refining fire that brings the dross of self to the surface for skimming so that we might more perfectly reflect the image of our Lord. The Eternal Artisan knows just how hot He must stoke the fire in order to perfect us into the purity of the Son of God.

Understanding this principle has brought not only relief to our lives, but rejoicing in the refining process for "...our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17). Think of it: our affliction is indeed light and no comparison to the suffering our Savior endured for our salvation - it is only for a moment, it will not last forever. But God has ordained this temporary affliction to work for us an abundant, glorious and everlasting result - we get to be more like Christ. What a bargain!

May God give us the wisdom and grace to respond in holiness and humility to all that He brings into our lives as we see His transforming plan enacted in every experience of our earthly pilgrimage. All glory to His name! 

                                                                                             ~Tim Sneeden