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“We need to embrace the fire of God, to let Him consume us.” Michelle McKinney Hammond
The above quote popped up in my Facebook feed as one of my posts from three years ago. Until the pandemic, a local organization that helps the county libraries would hold a used book sale in a mall every year. And every year, I would buy two bags worth of books. In 2019, I found a book by Michelle McKinney Hammond. Seeing that quote reminded me that God led me to the right resources, including books, to prepare me for where I am now.
I am in a season of deep healing, where the fire of God’s presence melts off all that hinders me from being who I am created to be. The Bible talks about gold being purified with fire in many passages:
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” Job 23:10
“For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.” Psalm 66:10
“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.” Proverbs 17:3
“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.” Isaiah 48:10
“And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” Zechariah 13:9
“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.” Malachi 3:3
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7
The process of purifying gold is interesting and is the perfect metaphor for how God purifies our souls. Heat is the oldest way of purifying fire. Gold scraps are placed in a container that can withstand high temperatures. The container is placed in a furnace heated to nearly 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which melts the gold. The gold is transferred to another container, leaving behind any impurities.
God’s presence is the fire and our souls are gold. As we submit to God, the fire of His presence burns off all that is impure within us. This is not an overnight process. It occurs for the rest of our lives. Recovering from childhood trauma is part of the purification process. As we spend time aware of God’s presence, any remaining pain or grief over our lost childhoods will surface. It hurts. I won’t lie to you. However, it is worth every bit of hurt.
It is in the fire of God’s presence where we find true love. As God turns up the heat in our souls, we become our true selves, leaving our false selves behind. Our souls become the finest of gold. We start shining in a dark world and point others to their Creator.
“For our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:29
Resources
How to Be Happy Where You Are by Michelle McKinney Hammond’
Image by David Mark from Pixabay
Yes Lord, let the fire fall and cleanse and heal us from deep within our souls. Thank you, dear Gina for sharing and helping so many on your healing journey. I was unable to respond last week. You are loved and appreciated much, dear girl. <3
My deepest desire is that I can help others through healing from trauma. I love you, second mama!!!! You have always been there for me. God gifted you with a tender heart.