Crucible: a severe test or trial; especially, one that causes a lasting change or influence.

The crucible of testing in challenging circumstances… will result in refinement and maturity.

That sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?  However, it will be up to the individual involved whether he/she is refined and matured by God’s hand.  Rejecting or resenting God’s way or becoming bitter and angry will not refine us.  It is our choice… to succumb to the crucible of circumstances or to triumph in our circumstances.

Trusting the living God in our situation will grow us up and be pleasing to Him.
(NASB) Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Consider the man Joseph.  He was sold by his older brothers into slavery.  He was falsely accused by his master’s wife of attempted rape and wrongfully imprisoned.  There, in prison, he had further lessons to learn in the crucible of testing.

(NASB) Genesis 39:19-20 “Now when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, ‘This is what your slave did to me,’ his anger burned.
20 So Joseph’s master took him and put him into the jail, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined; and he was there in the jail.”

(NASB) Psalm 105:18-19 “They afflicted his feet with fetter,
He himself was laid in irons;
19 Until the time that his word came to pass,
The word of the Lord tested him.”

The Lord’s ways teaches us in the crucible of testing… using our circumstances and people to mature us as His children.  Are we teachable?

The crucible of testing – Hurts!  Purifies!  Changes us!  Making us fit for His purposes!

Will we benefit from God’s crucible?

Growing confidence in God comes as we trust Him in the crucible of testing.

~ Take it to heart ~

My severe test or trial under God’s hand will change me – will influence me.  I am to hang onto the Lord in the crucible of my circumstances.