Refine Me- Travis Cottrell Day 11

When gold is refined, it's melted down and purified... and when the process is complete, the gold is pure and beautiful. The same is true for us as Christians... As we live our lives according to the word of God, our lives are refined. We go through a fire, if you will. Our hearts, lives and attitudes are changed day by day.
I was fortunate enough to catch a video by the skit guys called: God's Chisel. The skit covers the premise of being shaped into the person that God wants you to be. As the characters are talking, they discuss the changes... how some of them will hurt, but that he will be better for it. As we are refined, there will be pain... as we give over to God the things that we have been holding onto.
In my life, it was high school and college. I was tall and felt awkward in my own skin... I overcompensated by being sarcastic. Over ten years later, and I still face these hurts as I let God work in my life.
Psalm 139 tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, that we are not a mistake... we are God's workmanship. So now, in context of the song... God created you to be just who you are right now... but... as God refines our lives, he rids our hearts, attitudes and self of the negative influences and reinforces the positives ones.
It's like this... have you ever been around a very positive person? They're attitude and joy is infectious isn't it? It's the exact same way when yoy are influenced by a very negative person... you begin to fall in line with their negativity and bad attitude. Which person would you rather be?
As God refines us, we begin to have a joy in our lives that is present even in the hard times... We won't always be happy... but His joy will always be in our hearts.
Let God refine your lives... allow him into the "hidden" parts of your life... let him enhance your already amazing self!!! Have a blessed Thursday!!!