This last week has been an emotional one. I feel my family being tested and tried through affliction. When I think about affliction in God's word, He compares it to being refined like gold, which is refined in the fire. Eek. Fire? That doesn't sound pleasant but rather painful. Isaiah 48:10 says, "See, I have refined you, though not as silver;I have tested you in the furnace of affliction." A fiery furnace of affliction? And why would I want to do that? James explains what this produces.
James 1:2-4
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. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
We all know (as parents) what our children would be like if we didn't discipline them or if we just handed them every little thing they wanted. Well, they would be little brats. I'm sure you remember little Veronica "Veruca" Salt from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She was the brat who got everything she wanted. She was an ugly little girl (pretty on the outside, but rotten on in the inside). God loves us too much to allow us to become little rotten Veruca's. And, that's how we feel about our children. I know that correcting and disciplining and raising my children with the commands of God in their heart will produce adults where Christ shines through their hearts.
Proverbs 3:12
For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
I told Lilli that I discipline her, because I love her. She says, "Mommy that doesn't make sense." I just chuckled and said the Lord created us and He knows us, and He disciplines me as well.
It's funny, because God laid on my heart to blog about refinement. Well, I opened my computer and an e-mail pops up from my husband with a video. I think they do a better job than I do. Please watch but grab tissues if you are anything like me :)
James 1:2-4
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. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
We all know (as parents) what our children would be like if we didn't discipline them or if we just handed them every little thing they wanted. Well, they would be little brats. I'm sure you remember little Veronica "Veruca" Salt from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She was the brat who got everything she wanted. She was an ugly little girl (pretty on the outside, but rotten on in the inside). God loves us too much to allow us to become little rotten Veruca's. And, that's how we feel about our children. I know that correcting and disciplining and raising my children with the commands of God in their heart will produce adults where Christ shines through their hearts.
Proverbs 3:12
For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
I told Lilli that I discipline her, because I love her. She says, "Mommy that doesn't make sense." I just chuckled and said the Lord created us and He knows us, and He disciplines me as well.
It's funny, because God laid on my heart to blog about refinement. Well, I opened my computer and an e-mail pops up from my husband with a video. I think they do a better job than I do. Please watch but grab tissues if you are anything like me :)
