#7 The Blessings of a Refiner's Fire

If there's any lesson I've learned about myself more this semester more than anything else is that the refiner's fire is for my good, even if it's painful and hard. But what is a refiner's fire and how exactly does it do us good? According to Dictionary.com the definition of refine is: 1) To bring to a fine or a pure state; free form impurities 2) To purify from what is coarse, vulgar, or debasing; make elegant or cultured 3) To bring to a finer state or form by purifying 4) To make more fine, subtle, or precise. I love that. The process to refine, or purify, metal involves a fire with intense heat that melts the metal and makes it possible for the imperfections in the metal can be separated and you're left with a more pure metal which worth had increased due to that refiner's fire.

I've learned a lot this semester, most of which through painful experiences, but I'm so grateful for that came to pass because of it. I have become more of the person my Father in Heaven has needed me to be. While looking back at this semester I have been so blessed to be so humbled. Coming from a high school where I was considered a spiritual giant I became comfortable where I was at because I was able to still contribute to the lessons at church and seminary and I still felt like I had a strong testimony. Then I started this journey of college life and learned quickly that I was far from where I thought I was in my spiritual growth. Thus began my refiner's fire. I knew it was going to come but I never thought it would be close to a literal fire in comparison in pain. President James E. Faust gave a powerful talk in April 1979 titled, "The Refiner's Fire" that brought such peace and vision into my circumstances. Here are some of the quotes that really stuck out to me!

Here then is a great truth. In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, we pass through a refiner’s fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong. In this way the divine image can be mirrored from the soul. It is part of the purging toll exacted of some to become acquainted with God. In the agonies of life, we seem to listen better to the faint, godly whisperings of the Divine Shepherd.

 For some, the refiner’s fire causes a loss of belief and faith in God, but those with eternal perspective understand that such refining is part of the perfection process.

 “Ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6).

He wants them to become more like himself. God has suffered far more than man ever did or ever will, and is therefore the great source of sympathy and consolation

The Divine Shepherd has a message of hope, strength, and deliverance for all. If there were no night, we would not appreciate the day, nor could we see the stars and the vastness of the heavens. We must partake of the bitter with the sweet. There is a divine purpose in the adversities we encounter every day. They prepare, they purge, they purify, and thus they bless

A comfortable cloak of righteousness will be drawn around us to protect us and to keep us warm spiritually. Self-pity will vanish as our blessings are counted.

 I have come to know more than ever that it's through the refiner's fire that we are able to become more than we were before and that the pain is worth it. We need to remember though that we are not in this alone; our Savior, Jesus Christ, is there for us at all times rooting for our success in our lives. He will be surrounding us and ready to swallow up our pain into His Atonement as we come unto Him. I have felt Him by my side every day, both good and bad, and His comfort and love has enveloped me and has casted out all of my sadness that I have felt. I love my Savior and I am forever grateful for Him and His willingness to raise me up from my human and imperfect state. He will be there for you too just call upon His grace and mercy and He will succor you because you are His child.