Monday, March 3, 2008

Under Fire

Watching any war movie, one will not miss hearing the soldiers of being “under enemy fire.” During this time, they kept their heads down as bullets pass by. Imagine being hit by a flying bullet meant death. What a nerve-wracking moment to be in! But how does it compare to everyday life being “under fire” by constant barrage of concerns, worries, fears and all other related things? Does keeping your head down at all times the only means possible? Or giving up is also an option? No matter what kinds of circumstances surrounding you today, the only option is to know that in spite of all these things, you must be at perfect peace in God even “under fire.”

The pages of the Bible are filled with real stories of men and women who went through the fiery storms of life and became overcomers through their faith in God. Although there are those who gave up their life in the end but they remained faithful and steadfast up to their last breath. Therefore, never think that you are alone in your struggles in life. Each and every day, people go through situations that show what they are made of. The reaction not the action makes a huge distinction. Our reaction to the present situation will always determine our character in the process. Remember that God will never allow anything to happen to us without His permission especially to those whose life is in His hands.

Look at it this way, when you say that your life is in His hands, it is clearly understood that He has all the right to do anything that pleases Him for you to become a better person. However, if you say, He is not in control of your life, then who is? Who’s protecting you during your seasons of being “under fire?”

Malachi 3:3 says: "He (God) will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. ‘One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it”’

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. This very moment, you need to know that God is watching over you. And, whatever you’re going through, you'll be a better person in the end. As long as God is with you, “under fire” will be the best place you will ever be. Wherever God brings you, just have faith that He will never leave you nor forsake and it is a solemn promise that He intends to keep.

Let’s talk again!