You can go from ‘defined’ to ‘refined’ with Jesus!

Let's pray before we start today.

“Dear Jesus, every one of us is facing a challenge today. You know the deepest part of our hearts, so I am grateful that this is not surprising to you. You already know every challenge I am facing. Thank you for the confidence that comes when we face these obstacles TOGETHER with our God, who is greater and more powerful than anything that comes against us. We claim your victory today! In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

As Laurel faces her visual challenges daily, I am amazed at the spiritual lessons I have heard her speak out into reality. She has said, on more than one occasion: This eye disease has not defined me; it has refined me.

Laurel taught me courage and perspective at that moment! What a courageous statement for all of us! Whatever we face today, we should not allow the challenge to define us; instead, we should allow it to refine us because we know that every challenge, obstacle, or trial is an opportunity to make us more like Jesus.

I want to challenge you to open your heart today to God’s refining work in your life. When we choose refinement, we recognize that God shapes our character, builds our faith, and positions us for a miracle.

I love the words of Peter, a man who was refined in so many ways:

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

(1 Peter 1:6-9, NIV)

The end goal for every believer is to allow our refinement to put the glory of Jesus on display. He is with YOU today in the challenge. Here is His promise:

“And I will bring the third part through the fire,

Refine them as silver is refined,

And test them as gold is tested.

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 my God.’”

(Zechariah 13:9, NIV)

What an amazing opportunity we have! No matter what emotion our challenges invoke, we can cry out to God and know we are heard. No matter how painful the situation may be, God is greater, God is stronger, and God promises that “all things work together for good, for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NIV)

Let’s pause and thank God for His presence. Acknowledge that He is with you and for you. Celebrate that the refining process is making you more and more like Jesus!

You are a miracle!

Your friend,

Grant Fishbook