“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.”

Proverbs 17:3

While preparing to teach a lesson on Jonah for the preschool, feelings of frustrations began to mount on situations from work and home. Teaching about Jonah started out as a lesson on Jonah’s delayed obedience and second chances for the people of Nineveh and Jonah. The lesson ended up revealing more about the prophet’s heart as well as mine. The biggest lesson I ended up learning was more about how the Lord tests our hearts. The Lord often calls us to do small things. These small tasks range from talking to others about Him to being kind to those who hurt us. But do we? Or do we stand in a place of judgment, with a myriad of excuses of why we do not have time, they are not your normal crowd, or how they have wronged you in some way? Our hearts reveal our motives and our obedience. I almost missed the most important part of the lesson, Jonah was being refined, he was called to be obedient which required him to be flexible.

As the week progressed, I realized I was not flexible. Frustrations stemmed from my unwillingness to bend because I knew best. But God was good, bringing hope, answers and correction in my heart. A radio show I listen to spoke of three things that had been coming to me throughout the week: pruning, remaining flexible and being obedient at all times, recognizing that the world is watching us to see how we are different. I realized I needed to ask the Lord to forgive me and help me. I need the Lord to carry out His pruning and continue to refine me. Much like Jonah’s second chance, the Lord provided answers to problems. God provided the right people to share their experience, to interject hope and an assurance that He hears our prayers! If we are willing to look to Him, He will provide the strength we need to succeed!