The Testing of the Heart

“The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the hearts.” -Prov. 17:3

I have often said, even from the pulpit, that it is crises that shape the heart of a person, but I’m beginning to think differently about that. Rather, crises demonstrate the heart of a person. The heart is prepared in everyday life as we commune with Jesus. The trials and tests merely show openly what happens in the secret places of a person’s heart.

This refining, testing process is carried out by our loving heavenly Father. He knows what you are made of, but He wants you to be equally aware of it today and to embrace Him, grow in Him, and become like His Son through the trying of your faith. As Job said, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)

If you are walking through the fire of a trial right now, what is being demonstrated about the integrity of your heart? If you’re not enduring a trial, be prepared, life is full of such tests. Spend time with Jesus and God’s Word today so that your heart will be ready.