The Fire of God is here to Purify Everything about You! Count it all Joy.

Have you ever found yourself navigating through dark times, "dark nights of the soul" where the circumstances seem overwhelming? In these moments, where the weight of challenges threaten to consume us, strength is required to focus on the good rather than the prevailing circumstances. These challenges could be from failing health, marriage matters, an unfaithful spouse, financial strains, spiritual confusion, slander, and malice. The subject matter is endless. And it is precisely in these moments that the wisdom of Philippians 4:8 becomes a guiding light, offering a transformative perspective that extends beyond the realm of mere positivity.

Philippians 4:8 - A Blueprint for Positive Thinking:

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

This verse from Philippians serves as a blueprint for cultivating a positive thought life. It invites believers to redirect their mental focus towards the qualities that embody truth, nobility, righteousness, purity, loveliness, and admiration.

By dwelling on what is excellent and praiseworthy, the mind becomes a fertile ground for the seeds of positivity to flourish.

Proverbs 4:23 - Guarding the Wellspring of Life:

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

Proverbs 4:23 complements the exhortation in Philippians, emphasizing the paramount importance of guarding one's heart. The heart is depicted as the wellspring of life, the source from which all our actions and choices flow. The call to guard the heart echoes the sentiment that maintaining purity in our thought life is foundational to our overall well-being and actions.

In times of hardship, I often characterize these experiences as the "dark nights of the soul" because of their relentless nature, nights devoid of rest, instances of weariness, and an overall feeling of living in a haze—accompanied by all other emotions akin to these sentiments.

Thankfully, we have Philippians 4:8 which serves as a blueprint for positive thinking, urging believers to focus intentionally on qualities that embody truth, nobility, righteousness, purity, loveliness, and admiration. This intentional shift in perspective, as prescribed by Philippians, acts as a shield, protecting the heart from the onslaught of negativity and despair, allowing the light of positivity to penetrate the darkness.

Does this imply that the pain never occurred? Absolutely not. Instead, it redirects the utilization of your thoughts, intentions, and heart toward a trajectory that fosters growth, love, and healing. Overcoming challenges becomes an elusive endeavor if we constantly immerse ourselves in the replay of past hurts, dwelling on what went wrong, and questioning the reasons behind certain events. It's about releasing and moving forward, relinquishing the hold of the past.

The term "dark night of the soul" resonates with intense spiritual struggles and a perceived separation from God. For me, it captures the essence of the experience: a time of spiritual questioning, isolation, and grappling with one's faith. The concept aligns with passages that vividly describe moments of spiritual anguish, seeking, and growth. Here, we find scriptures that echo the sentiments of those enduring the dark night:

• Psalm 42:5 (NIV): "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."

• Psalm 22:1 (NIV): "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?"

• Psalm 88:6 (NIV): "You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths."

• Psalm 143:3-4 (NIV): "The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed."

• Matthew 27:46 (NIV): "About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' (which means 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?')."

Listen, my friends, if Jesus himself experienced moments of feeling forsaken, you can be certain that there will be times in your life when you'll feel the same! Just like Jesus, you, too, will rise again from whatever tried to bring you down—whether it's financial challenges, health issues, depression, burned bridges, job loss, scarcity in any aspect, loneliness, or betrayal. You won't remain in that place! Remember the age-old saying, "God didn't bring me through the storm to leave me stuck in a puddle!"

Our journey through challenges is not an endpoint but a passage leading to resilience, renewal, and ultimate victory. 

Embrace the assurance that, like Jesus rising from the depths of despair, you, too, will overcome and emerge stronger on the other side. The storms may rage, but they do not define your destination. Keep moving forward, knowing that the dawn of a new day awaits, bringing healing, restoration, and a brighter future.

Embracing growth has always held a special place in my heart. The allure of new possibilities, the prospect of shedding toxic elements, and breaking free from burdensome cycles resonate deeply with me. I find joy in welcoming new faces and exploring unfamiliar territories. One of the most captivating aspects is recognizing how God intricately knows who we need and who we need to let go of. It's a journey marked by seasons—entering and exiting, each with its unique lessons.

This process unfolds gently, guided by the Holy Spirit, urging us to navigate transitions with grace. It's crucial to look back not with bitterness but with love, understanding that God is the architect of our lives. A true encounter with God is akin to encountering fire. Placed on the altar like gold, the divine craftsman (God) turns up the heat, meticulously removing impurities within us.

Hold on, for even when you think you've reached a level ground, the journey doesn't cease. God, in His wisdom, turns up the fire to refine us further. It's an inescapable process, a continuous refining that shapes us into vessels of greater purity and purpose. In these moments, resilience becomes our ally, and through the flames, we emerge stronger, more refined, and closer to the design God envisions for our lives.

The Scriptures call us to a daily surrender, urging us to "die daily." This concept finds support in the Bible, particularly in passages such as:

1. 1 Corinthians 15:31 (NIV): "I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord."

2. Luke 9:23 (NIV): "Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'"

3. Galatians 2:20 (NIV): "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

These verses emphasize the idea of daily self-denial and crucifixion of our own desires for the sake of following Christ. It's a continuous process of surrendering to God's will.

What did you expect the process of dying to self to feel like? Let me emphasize: there's nothing pleasant about the act of dying, yet your Christian journey demands it. Is your pastor instilling this truth, or are they merely tickling your ears with affirmations of your wonderfulness? My dear friend, my love for you compels me to share that while there's a place for love, encouragement, and upliftment, there's also a season for breaking, for challenging, and you should surround yourself not only with those who speak kindly but also with those brave enough to correct you.

However, be cautioned—according to the scriptures, only the wise can endure correction.

You may encounter periods of solitude, yet rest assured, God will abundantly fill those empty spaces with blessings in response to your obedience. Place your trust in Him and heed His guidance, prioritizing His voice over the opinions of others. If people choose to distance themselves or vanish, recognize that it's not a reflection on you. Express gratitude for genuine friends, steadfast pastors, and authentic Christians who stand by you, willing to fight for you rather than merely stroking your ego as you navigate challenges meant to harm you and them.

To make my point scripturally, these interpretations from The Message version of Proverbs offer a modern and colloquial perspective on correction. They highlight the importance of approaching correction with wisdom and discernment, acknowledging that reasoning with a wise person is more effective than trying to correct the stubbornness of a fool:

• Proverbs 17:10 (The Message): "A quiet rebuke to a person of good sense does more than a whack on the head of a fool."

• Proverbs 9:7-8 (The Message): "If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you’ll get slapped in the face; confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins. So don’t waste your time on a scoffer; all you’ll get for your pains is abuse."

While God is undoubtedly a loving and compassionate Father—He doesn't coddle or baby us. The refinement of holiness often involves discomfort, akin to the process of purifying gold through fire. This idea is captured in passages like:

1. Hebrews 12:6-7 (NIV): "because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children."

2. James 1:2-4 (NIV): "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. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

"God's refining fire, though it may bring discomfort, purifies us like precious gold, shaping us into vessels of greater purpose and unwavering strength."

When the ominous shadow of betrayal looms, or financial hardships rise, or loss of income knocks at your doorstep or the pressure of evil encircles you like a lurking lion, the identity of the instrument the devil employs becomes inconsequential. What holds significance is the profound lesson that God is permitting you to learn, a lesson aimed at fostering righteousness, purity, and holiness. This aligns with the divine goal expressed in Matthew 5:8:

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

The culmination of cultivating a pure heart and mind, as advocated in Philippians and Proverbs, finds its eloquent expression in this verse. The promise it carries is extraordinary—those with a pure heart will witness the presence of God. The purity forged through intentional thought and guarded hearts and God's fire becomes the key to unlocking a deeper, more intimate communion with God. In sync with this pursuit of purity is the prayer found in Psalm 51:10:

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

This is not a superficial quest; rather, it's a journey requiring an internal transformation. Aligned with the sentiments of Psalm 51:10, the prayer resonates with the earnest desire for God's creative work within. It encapsulates the yearning for a heart purified from its core, a transformative process that instills steadfastness and resilience. As you navigate the challenges of betrayals, lack, malice, and all the lurking evils, let this prayer and the promise of Matthew 5:8 be your guiding light toward a heart made pure in the crucible of divine refinement.

Disregard the instruments used, and the weapons sent; God did not permit them to prosper. Reflect on those challenging moments with love and consider it pure joy. Your future shines brighter because God enabled you to grow in places meant to destroy you. The enemy overlooked the fact that you placed your trust in a higher power and that Higher Power is the Creator of the Universe and how wonderful it is to know how Faithfull He is to those trusting in Him. Count it all Joy! We all go through it! Chin-up, buttercup! There's more to come in the fire and in the blessings, so do it all in love, for love, to the Glory of God, who IS Love.

Copyright © Amanda Allen, Kingdom Revelations, 2023. All rights reserved. This article may be shared with acknowledgment of the author and the original source. Artwork included.