Forged in His Fire
“I don’t want sunbursts, or marble halls, I just want you.”
One of the most romantic lines in movie history, the 1987 version of Anne of Green Gables, when Anne comes to the realization that she didn’t have to have “the look” of anything grand, or fancy to be happy. She simply needed the security and safety of home, and the truest and purest form of love. That’s it. Home and love.
That may seem simple, idealistic, and fairytale to the average American who is driven to work for large amounts of money and status; but if you spent time diving into the heart of the average American grinding towards those two things, you’ll find piles of discontent, unrest, and lack of ability to look outside themselves.
So, is it the greed and pride festering in the hearts of people trying to aim for bigger and better (as far as worldly possessions go) that causes everyone to slide down the slippery slope away from what matters most? Or is it simply the air in our world that makes us all want to look a certain way?
We now live in a world where women dream of “sunbursts and marble halls” and men dream of high-class cars, power, pleasure, and money more than they do loving each other. And not only do they dream of these things, but many dream with expectation of doing little to nothing to achieve such aspirations.
Society will crumble under that structure.
One of the most romantic lines in movie history, the 1987 version of Anne of Green Gables, when Anne comes to the realization that she didn’t have to have “the look” of anything grand, or fancy to be happy. She simply needed the security and safety of home, and the truest and purest form of love. That’s it. Home and love.
That may seem simple, idealistic, and fairytale to the average American who is driven to work for large amounts of money and status; but if you spent time diving into the heart of the average American grinding towards those two things, you’ll find piles of discontent, unrest, and lack of ability to look outside themselves.
So, is it the greed and pride festering in the hearts of people trying to aim for bigger and better (as far as worldly possessions go) that causes everyone to slide down the slippery slope away from what matters most? Or is it simply the air in our world that makes us all want to look a certain way?
We now live in a world where women dream of “sunbursts and marble halls” and men dream of high-class cars, power, pleasure, and money more than they do loving each other. And not only do they dream of these things, but many dream with expectation of doing little to nothing to achieve such aspirations.
Society will crumble under that structure.
What do I believe people in modern America lack?
Suffering. They lack suffering. They lack the acceptance of suffering, and they lack the understanding as to WHY we suffer. Granted; greed, pride, and selfishness are forms of suffering all by themselves. But one day when you wake up in the middle of a trial that seems to be eternal in nature, and torturous in spirit, you’ll be changed forever. And you won’t ever go back.
Suffering. They lack suffering. They lack the acceptance of suffering, and they lack the understanding as to WHY we suffer. Granted; greed, pride, and selfishness are forms of suffering all by themselves. But one day when you wake up in the middle of a trial that seems to be eternal in nature, and torturous in spirit, you’ll be changed forever. And you won’t ever go back.
What does it mean to forge metal? Metal forging usually takes place under extremely hot temperatures, and is followed by pounding, beating, or pressing the metal. Forging is used to create some of the toughest metal parts. This means that the forging process in and of itself strengthens the metal. This usually happens in 3 distinct ways:
With this in mind, I believe we can draw some obvious conclusions about human life from some of the greatest metal forgers.
Metal forging takes place under extreme heat and pressure, usually applied by a hammer. Have you ever felt the hammer of life before? Have you ever been swallowed by the flames in your day to day that may threaten to win if you give in or give up at any given time? I believe everyone will experience this at some point or another in their lives. And when you’re in the middle of your fire, I’d hope you can remember these three things:
We all have cracks and crevices. The parts of us we often see as gaping holes when we take a good look at ourselves. These cracks in our beings are often caused by our own sin and can be filled in through the refining process of repentance. This means not only repenting of large sins that seem to create beasts out of human beings, but also the sins that often go unnoticed for quite some time before they bite us hard like greed, selfishness, complacency, and apathy. Suffering strips us of these things and causes us to turn to the only One who can redeem us and endow us with power to overcome. But it’s a refining process, which implies it can be painful to begin the closing of these holes. But God promises us:
God promises us renewal through repentance by and through Him. But we must put aside all our worldly lusts and cravings.
Suffering allows space for this. Because in deep tormenting suffering, there is nothing else but Him.
2. Adversity causes a breakdown of impurities in our bodies and spirit, so they can be redistributed and used for good.
Nobody can claim an absence of impurities in this generation. When the impurities of this world threaten to overcome us, do we ever really get rid of our toxic experiences? Quantum physics teaches us we don’t. We simply shift our energies through painful or obstructive experiences, and those negative energies float around in our aura (or energy field) often looming over us until we feel anxious, fearful, and tormented. Only when we can learn to bring these energies back into our center and redistribute them to use them for good will we understand what it really means to “glory in our tribulations” knowing that tribulation produces “hope, patience, and experience.”
3. Through our affliction, a “grain structure” that is favorable in our being is created, causing us to be sturdier.
One day, may we all claim this glorious, promised blessing:
This principle is illustrated in the book of Alma when the faithful, stripling warriors went to battle against the Lamanites and “… according to the goodness of God… and also the joy of the whole army… there was not one soul of them who did perish; yeah neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds.” (Alma 56:25-26)
Not a single man in that army died while passing through the horrors of war in that battle, but it also doesn’t promise that they weren’t wounded. The miracle was in the preserving of their lives, and the allowance of hurt because without pain, we can’t be made perfect. (-JST Hebrews 11:40.)
- As the metal is heated and pressed, all of the little minor cracks and crevices are sealed and closed.
- Hot forging also causes the break down of any impurities in the metal so they can be redistributed across the metal work. This can be managed during the initial casting process of the metal, but the intense heat does further refine the metal.
- Through the forging process, a grain structure that is favorable can be created, making the metal sturdier.
With this in mind, I believe we can draw some obvious conclusions about human life from some of the greatest metal forgers.
Metal forging takes place under extreme heat and pressure, usually applied by a hammer. Have you ever felt the hammer of life before? Have you ever been swallowed by the flames in your day to day that may threaten to win if you give in or give up at any given time? I believe everyone will experience this at some point or another in their lives. And when you’re in the middle of your fire, I’d hope you can remember these three things:
- Suffering allows all our minor cracks and crevices to be closed.
We all have cracks and crevices. The parts of us we often see as gaping holes when we take a good look at ourselves. These cracks in our beings are often caused by our own sin and can be filled in through the refining process of repentance. This means not only repenting of large sins that seem to create beasts out of human beings, but also the sins that often go unnoticed for quite some time before they bite us hard like greed, selfishness, complacency, and apathy. Suffering strips us of these things and causes us to turn to the only One who can redeem us and endow us with power to overcome. But it’s a refining process, which implies it can be painful to begin the closing of these holes. But God promises us:
- “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:29-31
God promises us renewal through repentance by and through Him. But we must put aside all our worldly lusts and cravings.
- “Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and new spirit.” – Ezekiel 18:31
Suffering allows space for this. Because in deep tormenting suffering, there is nothing else but Him.
2. Adversity causes a breakdown of impurities in our bodies and spirit, so they can be redistributed and used for good.
Nobody can claim an absence of impurities in this generation. When the impurities of this world threaten to overcome us, do we ever really get rid of our toxic experiences? Quantum physics teaches us we don’t. We simply shift our energies through painful or obstructive experiences, and those negative energies float around in our aura (or energy field) often looming over us until we feel anxious, fearful, and tormented. Only when we can learn to bring these energies back into our center and redistribute them to use them for good will we understand what it really means to “glory in our tribulations” knowing that tribulation produces “hope, patience, and experience.”
- “And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.” - Doctrine & Covenants 122:7
3. Through our affliction, a “grain structure” that is favorable in our being is created, causing us to be sturdier.
One day, may we all claim this glorious, promised blessing:
- “…when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” – Isaiah: 43:2
This principle is illustrated in the book of Alma when the faithful, stripling warriors went to battle against the Lamanites and “… according to the goodness of God… and also the joy of the whole army… there was not one soul of them who did perish; yeah neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds.” (Alma 56:25-26)
Not a single man in that army died while passing through the horrors of war in that battle, but it also doesn’t promise that they weren’t wounded. The miracle was in the preserving of their lives, and the allowance of hurt because without pain, we can’t be made perfect. (-JST Hebrews 11:40.)
“…When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as GOLD.” – Job 23:10
Our reality when we partner with God in all areas of our lives is this:
We don’t need sunbursts, or marble halls, or golden staircases
.
We ARE the sunbursts; the marble halls are found in our deepest inner knowing of His grace and power. And our golden staircases spiral along our veins as He refines us in the fire that He allows us to pass through. And when we find all those beautiful things lining our insides, we come to a really grounding place where we see that all we really need is the safety and security of Home, and deep enduring Love.
Our pain in this life is not in vain. There is purpose, and cause to every ache, cry, and tear in this life. May we forever lean on His endowment of power that He bestows on each of us when we stand in His righteousness, glowing in His light, and “cheerfully doing all things that lie in our power.” Only then may we “…stand still, with the utmost assurance, and see the salvation of God.” -Doctrine & Covenants 123:17
God bless you as you are forged in His fire.
-Claire
Our reality when we partner with God in all areas of our lives is this:
We don’t need sunbursts, or marble halls, or golden staircases
.
We ARE the sunbursts; the marble halls are found in our deepest inner knowing of His grace and power. And our golden staircases spiral along our veins as He refines us in the fire that He allows us to pass through. And when we find all those beautiful things lining our insides, we come to a really grounding place where we see that all we really need is the safety and security of Home, and deep enduring Love.
Our pain in this life is not in vain. There is purpose, and cause to every ache, cry, and tear in this life. May we forever lean on His endowment of power that He bestows on each of us when we stand in His righteousness, glowing in His light, and “cheerfully doing all things that lie in our power.” Only then may we “…stand still, with the utmost assurance, and see the salvation of God.” -Doctrine & Covenants 123:17
God bless you as you are forged in His fire.
-Claire
Copyright 2024, Forged in His Fire