Most of us have heard of God’s refining fire—mostly in the context of suffering and pain. Much of the testing we receive by fire certainly does produce suffering. That’s why we’re called to endure to the end. There would be no need to endure if all was beauty and ease. 

And, yet, there are tests and trials we face in this life that don’t cause immediate hardship or suffering. Have you ever considered that every moment of every day is a test that is shaping your eternal future? This life is nothing more than a preparation for that after all. And that preparation takes shape in all manner of circumstances and aspects of life—even in what we would call the good parts of life. 

The Tests Laid Out

Proverbs 27:21 says: The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold,
And each is tested by the praise accorded him. – NASB 

Ecclesiastes 2:1 also, says this: I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself.” And behold, it too was futility. – NASB 

We have two examples here of testing. One by the praise of others and one by pleasure. Both of course are considered positive experiences by us all. The test of praise seems to be of God through others—praising us to see what we will do or what attitude we will develop in response to it. And the comparison used is that of high temperatures: a crucible and a furnace. 

The Fire Of God

When we are receiving praise from others we may well imagine the fire of God engulfing us as the words reach our ears. What will the flames find upon reaching their target? Will there be pride or arrogance there to burn away?  Because, you see, the immature Christian or the unbeliever would immediately be tempted to puff up in response to the praise of others.

I have a feeling the heat associated with the praise of others would never amount to a scorching if we would remain humble and give God—our maker—all the glory for anything praiseworthy in our lives. On the other hand, if we do allow praise to puff us up, there is the potential to crash and burn. After all, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18) – ESV.

How Do We View Pleasure?

The verse in Ecclesiastes on the other hand is a case of Solomon testing himself or performing an experiment on himself, much as a scientist would in our day. But, in the absence of someone as objective, wise and broadminded as Solomon, I suppose God probably sends such tests of pleasure our way of His own design. Will we discover it’s futility as Solomon did, or will we become addicted to it and cling stubbornly to it as a need for all seasons?

It seems to me that these “soft” trials of life are almost more difficult to face with wisdom than the ones that are blatantly hard and tough. When things are good—or rather when things feel good—it’s easy to imagine that they will stay that way. But I’ve learned from a lot of experience that this isn’t true if we respond to the test of praise and pleasure with arrogance, addiction or entitlement. 

Practical Advice

So let’s not shun praise and pleasure. Let’s welcome them as gifts of God in the seasons He has ordained for them to operate in our lives. But let’s we aware of the attitude we carry as we walk in these seasons. Humility and gratitude go a long way.