Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 (NIV)

There is a similarity between the glazing and firing of clay and the colors we show when we have successfully had our faith tested by the fire of trials.

The mystery of the glaze.

Do you know that the glaze is painted onto the clay piece without seeing the colors? I was helping an art teacher for a couple school years. Mrs. Rhoads had cookie-like ceramic angels, each labeled with the number of the color and a sample of the finished glaze. The glaze in the containers looked nothing like the finished product!

The potter must carefully plan where each color will go, and then skillfully put it in the correct place. All of the painting is done before the artwork is fired in the kiln and reveals the painted design.

It’s only after the painted clay has gone through the heat of the fire that the colors are visible!

In the same way, it is when we are in the fire of difficulty, trials, and suffering that out own true colors show.

Have you noticed the person who blows up in anger when things don’t go as they desire? Likewise, a complainer will go on and on describing their suffering, often inserting “It’s not fair,” or “It’s not my fault.”

Too often I have been the one who gets flustered under stress. Instead of showing the colors of my Savior, my colors are muddied by my complaining and lack of contentment, or with some other ugly attitude.

I want to be like my friend who never complains. “Cici” battles a health issue, but she repeatedly reminds me that we are in the palm of God’s hands. Her complete trust in Jesus in her circumstances exhibits the beauty of the Holy Spirit’s work in her life. She praises the Lord at every opportunity, giving Him honor. She shines with the gleaming light of Jesus in her life.

Are you blessed to know someone who radiates peace and joy? It seems like the person has the best life, but you may know that he or she is experiencing deep pain. Bitterness does not have to result from the losses of health, employment, or of a loved one.

Do you exhibit peace and joy?

What colors show when you are under stress?

The Fiery Trails

We all face trials and suffering to some degree. While some suffering is the result from our own decisions, a lot of our trials are not because of our sin. Jesus, our incarnate God, identifies with us. Jesus is without sin, yet He suffered during His time on earth.

Reasons that we suffer:

• The devil seeks to destroy us (1 Peter 5:8–9).
• We suffer for following Jesus (1 Peter 4:12-14, 16)
• It is better to suffer for doing good rather than for doing evil (1 Peter 3:13–17; 4:15)

Suffering is painful. Jesus Christ suffered, as did Paul and many others in Scripture.

Let’s look at how God uses our suffering to bring beauty.

Beauty From the Fire

The pottery glaze gives beauty to the fired clay, but how can our burning struggles bring beauty in us?

James, one of the brothers of Jesus, tells us:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trails of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2–4 (NIV)

James goes on to tell us to ask God for wisdom, without doubting, and God generously will give us wisdom (James 1:5–8).

Additional areas of beauty from our trials:

• Growth through suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:1–5).
• The God of compassion comforts us in our trouble. We can comfort others with the comfort we have been given by God (2 Corinthians 1:3–5).
• The genuineness of our faith is proven as we rely on God during difficulties (I Peter 1:6–9)
• The Lord will reward our faith (James 1:9,12)
• God is glorified as we see Him in action.

Spend time in reflection. How do you view your trails? Do you reject them, or embrace them as something God will use in your life? Journal your thoughts.

Where do you see beauty from the fire? Where do you need to grow? Give it to the Holy Spirit who will perfect your faith.

Heavenly Father, Please forgive me for pushing against the lessons You have for me in my struggles. Help me to learn and grow. Help me to radiate the beauty of You in me. In Christ Jesus, Amen.

Thank you for reading my devotionals. Past devotionals include the 2025 Clay in the Potter’s Hands series; Attributes of God: A to Z series in 2024; and others dating back to August 2020. Click on the date under the title to expand the text.

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Scriptures marked NIV are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV): Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™. Used by permission of Zondervan.

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