Iron is not removed of its impurities without smelting it in a furnace. A steel sword is not tempered and strengthened without putting it in fire. Diamonds are counted among the most beautiful of gems and the most difficult to destroy—indeed, a diamond blade will cut through steel and rock, with no harm to the blade. Yet diamonds are formed only under extreme pressures and heat. Should you be like the graphite in a pencil tip, then, which is flaky and falls apart when handled even lightly? But take that graphite, and put it under great pressures and temperatures, and it will stop being graphite, and turn into diamond. In this way, the saints are forged in the furnaces of trials and sufferings, and sin is burned away by the fire and grace of the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle St. Paul writes “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)
God gives grace and comfort in secret to those who suffer. Though we bear crosses, this is not so that we should bear them alone, but so that Christ may step in and bear our crosses for us, and with us, "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:30). In this way we learn to lean on God for all things. I do not carry my cross by my own strength—which is weakness—but by the strength of God. Yet God does not remove the trial from me. We are promised tribulations and sufferings: “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Christ has overcome the world! So we fear no trial that the world burdens us with. We are subjected to these trials for a little while, in this life, so that they may produce in us faith and hope. Trials often purify the heart, opening it, so that the heart may more readily perceive the light of God. My suffering causes me to turn to God, to cry out for a good Creator, to say, “O God, where are you?”. I fail to cry out for Him and to seek Him when I am sated and filled, and entertained by pleasures. Then I forget about him. And what worse fate is there, than to forget about God? Hell is for those who forget God, who do not even recognize Him.
And as by fire we are refined and purified; by correction we are disciplined and set right in all things.
So the saints do not fear suffering, but are forged in it. For these present sufferings are for but just a little while, and for good purpose, as God says “I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined” (Zechariah 13:9). It is not that God intended such suffering; yet because it exists, He has brought it to serve Himself, having “made a footstool of His enemies” (Psalm 110:1).
Thus fear not fire and pressure, and sufferings, but even give thanks for them, as they are the furnace in which the saints are refined, and God carries us by His strength through all tribulation.
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