The Crucible… No, Not That Crucible

 

 Image source:  http://billyhumphrey.com/2014/02/21/waiting-on-the-lord-the-crucible-of-purification/

You may be familiar with the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller.  We’re not talking about that today.  Today we’re talking about our own personal crucibles.  So what exactly is a crucible?  Sounds terrible doesn’t it?  The trusty Merriam-Webster dictionary gives us 3 definitions:

1.       a vessel of a very refractory material (as porcelain) used for melting and calcining a substance that requires a high degree of heat

2.       a severe test

3.       a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development

(Encyclopedia Britannica, 2015)

When we relate this to life we could be referring to one of the worst trials we have ever been through.  Perhaps we might be dealing with death or loss of a loved one, infertility, or severe illness.  Whatever it may be it is certainly life changing.  It depends on our perspective whether that crucible changes our lives for the good or the bad.  (Hawkins, Dollahite, & Draper, 2012)

If we so choose, we can use this serious trial as a refinement period.  We can actually use the adversary for our benefit.  We can gain strength and resilience, adapt to life in a positive way, and actually come out better than we were before.  We can also grow closer as a family. (Hawkins, Dollahite, & Draper, 2012)

Keeping a gospel centered perspective, we know that Christ’s atonement wasn’t just for our sins.  He felt all of our pains and sorrows too.  If there is anyone who would ever know exactly what we’re going through its Him.  And while the pains of life can’t always be prevented, the pain they cause can be healed.  (Hawkins, Dollahite, & Draper, 2012)