Crucibles - Part 2

Going Through A Crucible?

     In your crucible, you will have surprises, sometimes painful ones. They could be accident related, health related, spiritual related, etc… We all will experience different types of surprises. Often we think of surprise as a pleasant thing but it isn’t always. We often put everything that feels good in the box that is good for us and everything that feels bad in a box that is bad for us. Life is not that simple. Sometimes, the things that feel bad is actually good for us and the things that feel good is actually bad for us.

     When we experience these surprises, we must be aware of the reality and the power of our enemy, don’t ever get discouraged. Do not re-act to a situation but, instead, act accordingly. Why? Because everything that we do has consequences. If you put ice out in the sun it will melt. If you put your hand in a fire, you will get burned. There is always cause and effect throughout our lives… they work together. We reap what we sow. There are results for our behavior.

     We seem to think that Someone will always intervene immediately to remove the pain that results from our own actions. Many times, we experience the consequences of our own actions in order that we may understand how deeply damaging and offensive our behavior is.

     Let’s take the laws about our health for example. If we abuse our bodies by failing to eat healthfully or exercise, or if we regularly overwork, this will damage and break down our bodies as a result.

Crucible of Purification:

There are 3 reasons why refining and testing may feel like a crucible.

1. We experience pain as circumstances bring wrong doing to our attention.

2. We experience anguish as we feel sorry for the wrong doing we now have done.

3. We experience frustration as we try to right the wrong we have done and to live differently.

Crucible of Maturity:

It can be quite uncomfortable and difficult to keep choosing to give up the things that have been so much a part of us. But this pruning process must happen.

When pruning plants, we only cut off branches here and there so that they can develop into greater fruitfulness. To prune, you need a sharp object that will sever. In the same way, in a crucible, we are being trimmed here and trimmed there with a sharp instrument that is cutting away things that will keep us back from growing into the person we are to be and so that we are progressive and successful in our ways and blossom into someone better than we were before. Sure, it hurts. Yes, it is uncomfortable. And YES, it is necessary.

So, if you are going through a crucible journey, know that it isn’t for nothing and that it will come to an end depending on how much has to be cut away. Be patient, be strong, be diligent, be encouraged that you are becoming a better person with a better state of mind and you are closer to fulfilling your goals and preparing yourself to accomplish them.

Join me next week as we continue to cover things that change your state of mind for the best.

Decide-Act-Change

Crucibles - Part 1

T H E   C R U C I B L E !

No Body Said That It Would Be Easy!

Every one of us has to go through some type of crucible in our lives at one time or another or multiple times.  It is what we do in the midst of the crucible and how we come through it that will decide what kind of person we will be and what lies ahead of us.  What is a crucible?  A crucible is a severe test of your patience and belief.  It is a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development.  This crucible journey isn’t a pleasant one because it challenges everything you think you are BUT it is necessary.

Imagine that you are on a path that is stretching way out before you out into the distance.  You don’t see the end but you know that the end of your crucible journey, to get where you want to be, is there.  As you check it out closer, you see some areas where the path roughly goes up into a mountainous peak, then other times, it goes down, into a desperate valleys.  You see that it branches off and zigzags.   At the zig and the zag there are ridges where the path breaks off and danger lies ahead.  You see others in your life on this path, some leading you one way, some another way… there is only one right path, so which way do you go to reach the desired end?

The right path is called the right path because it leads you to the right destination… your goal or where you want to go.  It is also called the right path because it keeps you in harmony with the right Person… God.  It is also called the right path because it trains you to be the right kind of person and then it is called the right path because it gives you the right history to be able to share with others who are struggling on their crucible paths as well.

How Do We Get Through The Journey?

1. The Undesired Detour - The Valley – It would be nice to have a path that goes beautifully around soft grass with wildflowers, deer in the meadows, etc… however, this is not that type of path.  This path is a valley of danger that can either destroy you physically, mentally, emotionally, or even destroy your dreams, hopes, and goals of what you want to accomplish.  This path is not a good place to visit but it is necessary.  It is a valley, so flashfloods may come, snow storms and blizzards, it has ravines, wadis, it is narrow and at times, no light comes through because of how deep the valley can get.

During this time, you may experience fear, trepidation, anxiety, insecurity, unsurety, etc… You have trouble making decisions during that time.   However, this valley is necessary for all of us to go through in order to learn not to be afraid.

2. People in your life – Throughout our lives we will inevitably have enemies.  How we deal with them makes all the difference.  On your path, you see people in your life, loved ones and enemies.  Love ones may mean well and may try to pull you off of the path.  Some will encourage you to stay on the path that you are on.  Enemies who mean you harm may try to pull you off the path.  Keeping our eyes on the prize of our goal(s) and focusing on staying on that path is important.  Enemies will get in the way to distract you.  If possible, destroy that enemy by making him your friend.  Otherwise, don’t return hate for hate, just keep on moving towards your goal.  Surround yourself with people who will encourage you to continue moving forward to reach your goal.

3. Carry promises on your journey or Positive Affirmations – When we are in the valley and surrounded by enemies, it is tempting to believe and feel that we are alone… WE ARE NOT!  Feelings can be deceptive and during those times are when our faith and our loves ones come into play.  For those who are Christians, take Bible Promises with you on your journey and believe they are trustworthy.  Take the goodness of the loved ones with you on your journey to be nourishment for you on the way.  Bask in the sunlight of positive thinking and speaking.  Although you are continuing to pursue your goals on your journey, learn to have fun too!

4. Beware of the dangers of zig (lack of morals) and zag (lack of ethics).  They try to take you to your goal a back around way that will eventually lead you off into a deep ravine that you cannot climb out of, thus missing your true goal in the true form that you so strived for.

Those who are finally victorious will have seasons of terrible perplexity and trial in all aspects of their life.  But, do not cast away your confidence; this is a part of the discipline to grow you into your goal.  It is essential so that the dross will be strained away and the only thing left is the pure gold.  Because you overcame grievous taunts, obstacles, dangers, etc… with your morals and ethics still in tact, you are made stronger and more prepared to qualify for the goal that you have succeeded in and are now mature enough to handle the responsibilities of its success.

Keep looking up the mountain to the eventual ending of your quest.  Do not look back, do not look down.  Down just shows the difficulties that you had to overcome and you may slip back by taking your eyes off of the path.  You will have some loved ones who will give a helping hand, accept it.  You will have some friends that will give words of encouragement, gain simple confidence from it. 

As you continue and go further and further on your journey, being victorious over valleys, zig and zag through the crucible, you become more trustful and hopeful that you will reach the end.  Your character will be formed into one that is greatly desired and highly spoken of.  You will be uplifted, ennobled, and fit for the dream that you strove so hard for.  And in the end, the crucible would have been worth going through because of the outcome.

Join me again this week as we cover “Crucibles” Part - 2