Walking through Refiner’s Fires
Normally Romans is not one of my favorite books in the New Testament, I reserve that for the books of John, Hebrews, and Revelation. Yet a few weeks ago I was reading in the book of Romans, and I was struck by the following:
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4And patience, experience; and experience, hope
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
I love Moroni’s discourse on Faith, Hope and Charity; somehow this statement by Paul is just as touching. I never noticed Experience after Patience before, and then there is Hope. What is it about Experience that brings Hope into our lives, and what is it about Patience that brings Experience? If everything were easy, as often times we want, then would we really learn Patience that brings Experience and ultimately Hope? So many times I have put down my own trials as not significant because I see so much suffering among others I love. I see their lives as so much harder, that I discount what I learn from my own sorrow and tribulation. Perhaps they see life much the same way?
I remember being in nursing school, single, taking 20 + credits a semester. Life was busy, but I just had me to worry about. There were married women, some divorced, all trying to carry the burden of raising a family at the same time they were going through school. I was amazed at how they did it; I was sure I could not do the same. One of them said to me, that she “did not know how I did it”. I was one of the few freshmen in the class, not only taking the nursing classes, but also doing the prerequisite courses that the others had already completed to get into the program. (Going into the program right out of high school those courses had to been done at the same time as the nursing classes.) I was also doing the required classes for my music scholarship, and institute classes. I was busy but I thought to myself, “I just have to worry about feeding me; I do not have to worry about feeding a family, or doing laundry for more than myself.” I thought I had it easy.
Those of us on either side of the fence thought it was harder for the other. I think we were in awe of what the other was doing. Did that mean that we learned Patience? What about Experience? I know that, of the things I have learned, I am not sure I have learned to completely appreciate my trials. I am not one of those that can say “I am glad I have gone through them.” There are many that I wish I did not have to go through, and I never want to walk through those refining fires again. They about did me in. Am I stronger for them? I honestly do not know. Am I better for them? Probably.
Hopefully I am more understanding and more forgiving than I was 20 years ago. I felt I learned something as I pondered this section of scripture. I learned something new, a new dimension to a favorite theme. I feel as if I have seen a harmonic chord rather than hearing it. I think this chapter deserves more time and pondering on my part. It has been a while since a scripture has touched me like that. Maybe the meds are working and my mind is clearing and opening up more to the Spirit. Or, perhaps I was more ready to be taught than I have been for a long while. Learning is not always easy, but I enjoy it when it comes. So Paul, thank-you for your discourse; I needed to be reminded of the grace given to all of us, and that all things are taught in time and in order, one little baby step at a time.
May 24th, 2006 09:01
I see the word “experience” there, almost in the sense of being ’seasoned’ or ‘experienced,’ as in knowledge and enrichment gained from the experiences themselves.
Of course, how does a pan become ’seasoned’?
By being put through the oven many times…
It’s not just the gift of the moment of the experience such as the fun or amusement in the present, but it is the increased body of life experience, the increased perspective. Every day we live, we have added understanding, added perspective with which to view this mortal life (and the eternity surrounding it).
It’s easy to forget that in the midst of experiences we’d rather not live, but fact is, as you’re pointing out here, we are all “more understanding and more forgiving than [we were] 20 years ago,” and in another 20 years will hopefully be moreso (especially if we take the time to appreciate our ‘experience’ as it grows).
May 24th, 2006 10:59
I can’t get enough of insights like this! I think it is so valuable to hear how other people work through their trials, and to feel the strength of the Spirit as we share thoughts and feelings and encouragement with each other.
I once heard a definition of charity that I love…that charity is the attitude of “an educated heart.” I think it was Elder Maxwell who talked of “tailored tutoring” … our trials are tailored for our growth. The experience we gain helps us personally, and can also help us then help others who may need our empathy, compassion and love. That perspective helps me through tough times…at least a little.
Thank you for sharing, Tanya!
May 25th, 2006 09:18
I had a thought about this last night….I find it interesting that “patience” comes before experience, when, initially, it made more sense to put patience after experience. The thought I had is that, if we endure our tribulations with patience, then we gain the experience that we need to become more Christlike. That experience is only beneficial to us if we bear our trials with patience. Otherwise, tribulation is just pain with no purpose. Thoughts?
May 25th, 2006 11:39
Naiah thanks for the analogy of the pan, I hadn’t thought of that one! I always think of the silversmith waiting to see his reflection to know the silver is ready.
Michelle that is exactly what I found so interesting. So many times we talk about patience coming with experience, not the other way around. You are right about tribulation and if we don’t learn what we need to it serves no purpose. I have known others to sit and wallow in their suffering and never growing or getting on with it. God wants us to be happy and somehow we have to learn that in the midst of our trials. Something I need to learn much better.
May 27th, 2006 00:45
Patience -> Experience -> Hope
I was thinking about the comments on Starfoxy’s spare change post, and how helping another can be inconvenient so sometimes that we pass it by. J. Joseph’s $5 experience going back to help the man, he was not an impatient person, quite willing to backtrack and offer more than once.
We may be so impatient that we miss the opportunties, the experiences that would lead to hope.
In my own self, I’m overwhelmed with more struggles that drag me down and I bitterly ponder the words of Job’s wife that I should curse God and die. The more chaotic this experience gets, the greater my *im*patience and the hope factor is zip, zilch, nada. So when that equation isn’t working for me anymore, it’s time for me to go back to the first parts of those verses.
Back to finding faith -> making peace ~with~ God -> standing in the grace of Jesus Christ -> joy and ultimately using that rejoicing to encourage me, to try again, to work the formula.
Patience -> Experience -> Hope
May 27th, 2006 03:32
Very nice. Thanks!