Heat & Pressure is a Good Thing

Have you noticed that when you are going through a difficult time, all you can think about is that you want it over with? I  know that is what I think and even pray for. Fiery trials and pressures are hard on us, aren't they? Let's look at three different aspects of things that are improved by heat and pressure. 

Gold! Gold is created first by melting down the metal to a liquid form. Then a worker adds Borax and soda ash which causes the pure gold to separate from the other metals. Heat is the first step to making pure gold. God often uses fiery trials to purify us. The next step removes the things from the gold that is harmful or impure. God sometimes uses circumstances to remove harmful or unnecessary things from our lives.

To have a piece of pottery that is usable, soft clay is formed into the shape intended and then put into a fiery kiln to harden the clay. It would not be usable if it were not hardened. Sometimes when God uses trials to form us and make us useful for His Kingdom, it is difficult to experience but we can endure if we keep in mind that God has a purpose. If the heat wasn't applied to the soft clay, bowls, vases, pitchers, etc. would never be able to be used by us for their intended purpose. 

Diamonds are some of the most precious stones in existence. They are the most common used stone for wedding and engagement rings...the stones used in the jewelry to represent lasting love. These precious stones can only be created by carbon being heated to a very high heat while also being put under very intense pressure. God uses fiery trials and sometimes extreme pressure to form us into something precious to Him that can represent His everlasting love. 

Maybe the extreme pressure you are under is a very demanding job or situation where decisions are needed in high stress circumstances. Maybe the fiery trial may be a job loss, a broke down car or appliance, or a health crisis. Whatever the pressure or heated situation, keep in mind that God is allowing it or orchestrating it for your own good...to bring you closer to Him, to form you into what He approves of, or to make you more useful to Him.