Daily Devotional for September 23, 2020
The Reflection
“Why did Mom have to have an accident and get hurt?” Preston asked on the way to visit her at the hospital. “I know the roads were wet and slippery, but other cars drove safely that day. So why did God let Mom get in a wreck?”
Dad sighed. “I don’t know why God allowed it, Preston. But I do know He promises to work everything out for our good—even bad things that happen.”
Preston silently looked out the window. He simply could not see how there could be anything good about Mom getting in an accident.
The next day, Preston’s class took a field trip to a silver refining plant. A guide explained a little about the complicated refining process, and at the end of the tour, he showed them a small, primitive-looking furnace. “Years ago, silver refiners heated the ore in furnaces like this,” the guide said. “They had to cool it and reheat it over and over. It was a very long process before the impurities were finally worked out.”
“How did they know when the silver was pure?” Preston asked.
“They say when the refiner could see a clear image of himself in the silver, he knew his job was done,” the guide said.
When Preston visited his mother at the hospital that evening, he told her about his field trip and what the guide had said.
“I think that’s a good illustration of what God is doing in my life,” Mom said. “I think He’s allowed me to be put in the furnace of suffering so that my life will more clearly reflect His image.”
“What do you mean?” asked Preston.
“Before my accident, I was busy with all kinds of projects—and they were all good things to be working on,” Mom replied. “But now that I’m flat on my back, I realize I was doing those things because I felt more valuable and in control when I was working hard. Not being able to do anything has reminded me that Jesus is the one who’s in control, and He loves me for me, not for what I can accomplish. I believe He’s using this experience to help me trust Him and reflect His image to others.” • Raelene E. Phillips
How about you?
Do you ever wonder why you—or someone else—has to suffer? To get your attention, God may use a difficult experience to help you understand His truth and love. Even though it may be painful, He promises to use everything He allows for your good and to be with you every step of the way. Trust Him to use the difficult things you face to refine you to be more like Jesus.
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