On July 3rd, 1776, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail, “The Furnace of Affliction produces Refinement, in states as well as Individuals.”
Human beings are painted and repainted throughout their lives. There is a continuous editing process that occurs from the experiences we have.
Sometimes the challenges can feel like a furnace.
Other times challenge comes like a wave that washes over us and must move through us.
There are moments of great joy and happiness that also move through us like a wave, but that aren’t quite as weighted. Perhaps it’s more like a rush of bubbles, like that of a bottle of sparkling water opened for the first time.
Joy or sorrow, each experience becomes a moment that changes us. It adds a different color to our canvas.
As people we all have our own processes for working through things and expressing ourselves.
One cannot know what another is experiencing until they take a moment to understand what has been repainted in their lives and has refined their hearts.
Most don’t care to take a moment with another, or most don’t have the bandwidth to take a moment with another.
People can be like that sometimes.
However, in order for states to truly experience the depth of the refinement that comes from “The Furnace of Affliction” individuals must take these moments to experience another’s refined heart and the life that shaped it.
Amen xo