When the Fire of Affliction Burns Intense

Flames consumed tuft after tuft of grass, eating up the acres as it engulfed everything in its path. A controlled burn had turned renegade.

Furiously, we flapped and stomped on new embers that threatened to spread the fire even further. But the lapping flames and rushing wind seemed to mock our attempts. The  intense heat drove us desperate. And professionals were finally called in. 

Surveying the burn afterward showed devastation—blackness and lifelessness. Yet less than a week later, evidence of rich life presented. New bright green growth dotted the hills. And soon a lush environment, healthier and more vibrant than before, surfaced. 

Beauty from a Consuming Fire

Sometimes I feel the fire of life is going renegade—consuming me, lapping at my skin, singing my hair. And I cry in agony and despair. I try desperately to stomp it out.

Yet I shouldn’t be surprised by the flames. God has promised that we will be refined like silver, not literally in a furnace of fire, but in a furnace of affliction (Isaiah 48:10). In fact, as Christians, we are even baptized with  fire (along with the Holy Spirit, Matthew 3:11).

But no matter how hot the fire may get, we will not be destroyed.

Out of such a furnace will actually come purity, life, and growth. As the weeds of our hearts are burned away, the Light penetrates. A lush, healthy environment grows where before only a tangled mess thrived.

The fire of affliction may engulf you and me for a time, but out of the charred remains comes Life. A beautiful, rich life. Wait for it; it will come!

The fire of affliction may engulf you and me for a time, but out of the charred remains comes Life. Click To Tweet

“Therefore we do not give up; even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16)

Reflection: Have you seen beauty come from ashes? What did you do to wait patiently (or not so patiently)? Let’s encourage each other in the comments.

I hope you will be further encouraged by this hope-filled song by Steven Curtis Chapman:

Since Lisa-Jo is taking a break from Five-Minute Fridays for December, this is my own rendition of FMF with the word “fire.” So sorry, no linkup. 🙂

By His grace ≈

Julie