The Fourth Man

THE FOURTH MAN

By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” – James 1:2-3 NIV

Grapes must first be crushed, before becoming wine.  Coal must bear extreme pressure to become a diamond.  And oysters must endure prolonged irritation to develop a pearl.

Isn’t it interesting, that for these things to reach their greatest value, they must first endure a great hardship?

It is in the irritation, pressure and stress that, we too, are offered an opportunity to be transformed from the common and everyday to the extraordinary.  It can be extremely painful to endure loss, disappointment or grief, but in the skilled hands of our loving Father, the pain ALWAYS has a purpose.

When we plunge our trust fully in Him, what emerges from the fiery flames of testing will be purified, strengthened, resilient and precious. These painful and crushing experiences serve to mold and shape us into the image of the Son.

The Lord once told me, “Do not despise the tools I use to shape you.”  It is easy enough thing to say in good times, but in grief and loss, those ten words are a bitter pill.

Beloved, if you are in a season of joy, tuck away these truths for your future. If you are in the heat of the crucible, take hold of the offered HOPE.

Father, in Your mercy, wrap Your arms around us.  Assure us of not only Your presence, but of the great depths of Your love.  The intense heat of the purifying fire can feel more like punishment than love when we don’t understand what You are doing.  So, Lord, hold us close.  Whisper HOPE into our pain.  Breathe on the embers of our faith to come back to life.  And help us to be still and know that You are God (Ps 46:10).

And like the fourth man in Nebuchadnezzar’s flames (Daniel 3:25), may Your presence give us strength, that we will emerge unharmed, without even a hint of smoke and to the glory of God.  In Jesus’ Name❤️

https://www.facebook.com/Prayers-of-a-Ragamuffin-Warrior-171515087035441/

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