Fiery Furnace
TO THE READER
Sometimes the Lord has an interesting way of developing our character, especially when He wants to move us beyond a comfortable, older version of ourselves. This older version is where we play it safe, live in the shadows, or try to protect an image that He sees as incompetent. Considering the Lord’s thoughts and ways are different from ours, it’s expected that God will act in unconventional ways!
Yesterday, the Lord guided me in reading Daniel chapter three to uplift my spirit and help me process lingering emotions from a past season of refinement. It’s the part of scripture that talks about King Nebuchadnezzar throwing the Hebrew boys into the fiery furnace for not worshiping his statue of gold he created.
While I was reading, the Lord interrupted my thoughts and shared a perspective that changed my understanding. He said that everyone has a fiery furnace in which they place others. He explained that we often put people in the 'Dog House,' use silent treatments, or punish them based on what we believe they deserve. Our fiery furnace may also include gossip, sowing discord, or doing anything that damages a person's character. The Lord said the fiery furnace King Nebuchadnezzar used for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego is similar to the 'gossip furnace' we sometimes throw others into. And yes ﹣ we can replace gossip with just about anything.
But at that moment, the Lord did not comfort me. Instead, He left me with this thought: 'If they want to throw you into their furnace, let them.’ As hard as that is to accept, it made me realize, God will use what He finds necessary to constantly change how you and I show up in the world. Even if it means we have to be uncomfortable for a moment.
What’s excellent about this whole thing is what the Lord gets out of us. He gets the crushing that comes when He needs to produce anointing oil. He gets to establish Himself in our obedience. These moments produce a secret place with Jesus that allows us to witness His presence.
The truth is WE GET GOD and HE GETS MAXIMUM USAGE OUT OF US.
Sometimes we want to run from uncomfortable situations because of the emotional pain they cause. Many of us would like to avoid hardship and pain, but it is the Lord's grace that makes it possible for difficult seasons to produce a fruitful harvest. He allows fire to refine us, allows endurance to produce character (Romans 5:4), and even uses someone else’s fiery furnace to build the best version of us for His glory.
So remember, the building of our character is good. No matter how the Lord chooses to correct, refine, prune, or establish His ways in our lives, HE IS STILL A GOOD GOD. Even if the Lord is whispering to you, “Let Her Cook” 🎶 or “If they want to throw you into their furnace, let them.”
Love, Kevonna 🌻
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