Suffering as a Revealing Fire

Suffering also is a purifying fire that reveals character. When things don't go our way not when all lights are green our character is revealed. What would you think about a crime scene investigator that found chemical evidence that could possibly implicate someone he loved in a crime; so, he decided not to bring that chemical to the laboratory where it would be put to the test by fire. That investigator would not be honest and he would be guilty of obstructing justice. God is just. He will not sweep the truth of our sinful nature under the rug; however, God is also Love. In God "mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed." (Psalm 85:10) How can we plead for mercy and be pardoned if our sin isn't revealed by testing? So God loves us by revealing our inequity to us in suffering before the judgement day. God is giving us the opportunity to repent. He is a fireman that screams at a man that fell asleep smoking waking him up from a beautiful dream to save him from the raging fire burning around his bed.

photo by gasi from flickr (creative commons)