As some of you know, there are a group of individuals who have recently went through a long season of refinement. They have been hidden in God's Hand, unnoticed and misunderstood by many, waiting for the time of their release. It has been a season of deeply painful circumstances for them; isolation, loneliness, exclusion, lack, loss, rejection and scorn, just to name a few. These seasons are often referred to as "wilderness experiences" or "valley experiences."

In 2002, The Lord told me it was a year of trading places. Those who had been in the wilderness were now coming out of their adverse circumstances. Step by step and day-by-day their circumstances would again change. And in turn, as they were coming out the wilderness, others were going in.

I believe 2003 will be a continuation of 2002. Each of these will continue down the path The Lord has set before them. Most who are going into this new season of refinement are probably unaware of the shift in direction God has brought into their lives. And it is for this reason I am writing this article.

I want to say up front so there are no misunderstandings; this time of refinement is not a judgment from God. Perhaps God will be dispensing judgments in the near future, I don't know. But for the purposes of this writing, I am not referring to judgment from God. What I am referring to is John 15:1-2.

John 15:1-2 - I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

Those coming out of the wilderness were there to be pruned so that they might bear more fruit. God was removing wrong thoughts, wrong actions, wrong motives, and other things that were displeasing to Him. Now He is doing the same for a new group of people.

I have already seen this happening in the lives of some, and again, most are probably unaware of this change. Though when they do notice, understanding a few things will help them get through it.

1 - First, one should never assume anything about the source of a given situation. Just because you are in a pressing situation, don't assume it is God's Will for you to be beat up. Be sure to ask God for understanding, and seek wise, Godly council about the situation.

2 - In the midst of troubling circumstances you won't understand what God is doing. Nor will you understand how this trouble could accomplish anything positive. This is a time to trust God and believe He knows what He is doing. Don't fall away from God because you don't understand what is going on. Trust Him.

3 - Hold loosely to the things of this world; Money, cars, houses, jobs, even friends and family. The whole purpose of pruning is to remove things that should not be a part of you. That's not to say that possessions, friends and family are bad things. But sometimes these things are removed in order to impact us in different ways. Such was the case with Job.

4 - Learn to rest in The Lord. In other words, put your trust in Him. Don't be consumed with worries and doubts. Know that God is all you need. He promises in His Word to provide all of your needs.

5 - Cooperate with what God is doing. This entails knowing what God is trying to do in you, which is not always clear. But God is a Good God. He will give you direction when you ask. And when He gives you direction, do as He says.

6 - Don't try to escape what God is doing. To do so will only cause you more pain. Go where He tells you to go, do what He tells you to do, and stay where He puts you.

7 - Most importantly, always remember, nothing is as dark and hopeless as it seems. You may not be able to see a way out of your circumstances, but God has a plan for you. Seasons are only for a season; they don't last forever. Stay encouraged, fellowship with other believers, and keep your focus on God.

While times of refinement can be difficult, they are an enormous blessing. In the valleys we learn that when we are weak, He is strong. It is here we become intimate with God, and feel Him hold us in His embrace. These are the times God is making us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. And by these experiences we gain a whole new perspective of who God is. There is no greater blessing than that.



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