The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the Lord tests the hearts.

Proverbs 17:3

Halloween is near, and while today’s holiday is radically different from what we experienced in the good old days, it still stirs memories of popcorn balls, caramel apples, and old-fashioned homemade candies of all kinds. 

Did you ever pull taffy as a child? The homemade pulled taffy was quite a production. Not only did we have to get the ingredients to exactly the right temperature, but to get the desired results we had to pull the sticky mass while it was still hot. With well-buttered hands we bravely grabbed a chunk of the taffy, knowing that it may burn a bit, but eager to see the golden ropes twist and lighten and reach absolute perfection before cooling. The challenging process was absolutely necessary in order to change the sugar mixture into the candy of our dreams.

Have you been feeling a bit pulled and twisted by life lately? Perhaps you are being stretched, refined, and transformed by our current stressful circumstances. As a child, I was able to endure the temporary discomfort of holding the hot taffy by anticipating the deliciousness to come.

We learn in Scripture that God allows his people to go through trials and testing in order to refine us, so we try to hold on to His promises throughout the difficulties and challenges we face.

I cling to the hope that the twisting and pulling of today may change me into a sweeter creation of the Father. 

I just hope I don’t cool down too soon to realize the transformation.

² My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.

James 1:2-4