For a piece of silver to become truly magnificent it must endure extreme heat. When refining silver, the smith carefully holds the precious metal in the fire, where the flames are hottest, so all the impurities are burned away, and nothing remains but radiance.

God’s love often holds us in such hot spots: “He . . . sit[s] as a refiner and purifier of silver” (Malachi 3:3). And He does it so that our faith will be refined. God, like a master silversmith, sees our incredible worth and mercifully chooses to let us endure the fire of trials because it reduces impurities, refines us, and brings out our true radiance.

Living through the persecution of Jesus, and the early years of the church, James knew the fire of persecution and trials. He knew how it hurts, but he also knew what it could accomplish. So James said, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” This refining of our faith makes us “mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2–4).

God doesn’t let you go through hard times and struggles to tear you down but rather to turn you into something remarkable. Trials aren’t supposed to define you; God wants trials to refine you.

Though the refining process is never easy, God has you in His hand the whole time you feel the fire. The greater the pressure you feel, the more grace you will experience and the more glory will be revealed in you. For God gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (4:6 NLT).

Humbly remain in God’s hands, and don’t resist that which refines you. God is creating you to be a radiant vessel of honor who reflects the character of Christ.

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that your loving God is holding you and keeping his eye on you until, like the silversmith in his silver, God sees His image—His beautiful, radiant image—reflected in you.