Good day everyone and welcome to another day of blogging through the book of Proverbs 😊

Today we look at chapter 17 and I’ll be focusing on verse 3 😊

[3] “In the same way that gold and silver are refined by fire, the Lord purifies your heart by the tests and trials of life.” (Proverbs 17:3 TPT)

Just as gold and silver are refined in the fire, God uses the tests and trials of life to purify our hearts. Our struggles are like the refining fire—painful, yet purposeful—because the Lord uses them to strengthen and purify us. This reminds me of 1 Peter 1:7:

[7] “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” (NLT)

Through every trial, our faith is being tested, refined, and proven genuine. By the time we come out on the other side, we emerge purified, with stronger faith, deeper dependence on God, and greater trust in His plans.

Jeremiah 18:3–6 gives us another picture—that of the potter and clay. God is the potter, and we are the clay in His hands. When He finds flaws in us, He does not discard us; instead, He reshapes and remolds us into vessels that reflect His purpose and likeness:

“So I went to the potter’s workshop, and there was the potter spinning his wheel. And whenever a piece of pottery turned out flawed, he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to the potter. Then Yahweh began to speak to me. ‘Can I not do with the people of Israel just as the potter has done with the clay?’ declares Yahweh. ‘You are clay that I shape in my hands like the clay in the potter’s hands.’” (Jeremiah 18:3–6 TPT)

Whatever challenge you may be facing right now, remember this: it is not wasted. God is using it for His glory and to shape you into a vessel He can use. He promises never to give you more than you can bear according to 1Cor 10:13:

“We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 TPT)

So, don’t give up. Surrender your struggles to God and allow Him to use them as a refiner’s fire—to purify you, strengthen you, and mold you into His likeness. Nothing is wasted in God’s hands. He will turn it all for your good.

I’ll close with these words from James:

“My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up in you the power of endurance. And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.” (James 1:2–4 TPT)

Take a moment to reflect: What trial are you currently walking through, and how might God be using it to refine you? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your journey.

Thanks for joining me today 😊 and if this post encouraged you, share it with someone else who might need the reminder that nothing is wasted with God. Together, let’s keep trusting Him through the fire.