In the whole land,” declares the Lord, “two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’ (Zechariah 13:8-9 NIV)
I have noticed that fire is one of the things that is daily used in my local community. We do not eat the flames of fire but we need the fire to prepare the food we eat. Those who do subsistence farming sometimes burn dry grass during the dry season to prepare the farm land for farming. Moreover, refining gold with flames of fire is one of the oldest and most common methods of refining gold to a desired level of purity. From these observations, it is clear that the fire is not the end but a means to getting the end product. On the other hand, this same fire can be very destructive if not put to proper use.
As we established in our previous write-ups (which you can access via these links Navigating the Wilderness Season and Perceiving the Wilderness Season as part of the process of separation and preparation for purposeful living ), the Wilderness Season is a season of heightened trials which occurs periodically in life’s journey. These seasons of suffering or pain or trials are inevitable in life but how we navigate such seasons is what makes the difference. Can the pain during the wilderness season have a purpose? Just like fire in proper use refines, if well approached, the pain during the wilderness season can result in refining character. On the other hand just like fire not put in proper use can also be destructive, if the wilderness season is not well approached, the pain of this season can leave one in depression, anger, suicidal thoughts which only lead to destruction.
Let’s pause and read the testimony of this sister…
I grew up in the family which was apparently blessed with financial resources. So for most part of my life, I did not really know hardship until when many circumstances unfolded and I found myself in serious hardship especially financially. I tried my hands on different things in order to raise income but many things seemed not to work well and even the little income I made was not sufficient to meet my needs. Some days I had control the way I eat…I did not eat to really get satisfied but to have something in my stomach that will keep me going. Other days, because I did not have sufficient money for transportation, I had to walk. Many other difficult situations occurred but the focus is on how I navigated this season. I really had to depend on God because I had tried in my strength but nothing worked out the way I wanted. It is amazing that it was at the point of heightened pain that I learned to pray more. Some of my walking sessions turned to prayer-walk. I understood why it is necessary to be generous especially to the poor because I had experienced and know what it means to go hungry for a single day. I learned self-control through dependence on God. For instance, before the hardship, I envied and was jealous of people prospering but when I went through this season, I learned to be patient and wait on God’s timing and not being led to depression through envy because other people had what I do not have. I learned to celebrate other people because they too may have gone through seasons of pain before getting to where they are. Summarily, I can say I am not yet perfect in character but it was so evident to me that the wilderness season was an opportunity which helped me to nurture love, generosity, self-control, humility etc. My advice to someone reading this is that it is essential to trust God even in your pain. We ought to always pray and it is very okay to pray for deliverance from pain. God according to His will can deliver you or can send you people to help you out of the situation you find yourself. Nevertheless, sometimes God may grant you the grace to go through some pain and when you discern this, know that that pain has a purpose and one of which is character refining.
Romans 5:3-5 (AMP) says… “And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
A gold refiner passes gold through fire and when it is brought out, it is better. The wilderness season, if approached with trust in God will only help nurture godly character in us. Reading through the biblical story of King David, I noticed his life was characterized by many of such wilderness experiences. Before David was anointed king, he was in the wilderness taking care of sheep. After he was anointed by Samuel, he still had a season in the wilderness where he fought lions and bears. On other occasions, he had to flee to the wilderness as a safe place while escaping from Saul. Even when David was king, he had to flee from His son Absalom and resided in the wilderness. Despite all the trials and pain even from David’s family members, David still depended on God and evidence of who David was can be perceived from the writings of David in Psalms. One thing that is outstanding about David is being a king, yet with a contrite and humble heart.
Are you in a wilderness season, is the pain overwhelming? Your pain can be a message from our Savior Jesus Christ to come to Him and watch Him turn your pain to gain. Amidst the pain, it may be wise to seek counsel, seek therapy, medical aid etc but above all, seek God for we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28). The wilderness season can be part of the Character refining process. Don’t abort the process but depend on God to lead you through.