When I was growing up in Southern California, fire season ran from June to October. Dry, hot, heavy winds, called the Santa Ana winds, blew for days, igniting the tiniest sparks into a raging inferno.

Now that I am older and living in middle Tennessee, I experience a different kind of fire season. When my spirit feels dry and circumstances are difficult, I suspect I have entered a season of spiritual alteration.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you. But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when His glory [filled with His radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may rejoice with great joy.

~1 Peter 4:12-13 AMP

I once listened to a Bible study that examined this topic. God’s fire season for His people accomplishes much more than if He leaves us in comfort. Some benefits follow:

• burns away ideas and attitudes that either hinder us or that displease the Lord (or both)
• shows us God as the loving Father who disciplines His children
• draws us closer to God in our pain
• purifies us, like a refining fire, ultimately showing us our true identity in Christ

But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s soap [which removes impurities and uncleanness].

~Malachi 3:2 AMP

Suddenly, I am no longer fixated on my suffering. Instead, I am conscious of eternity, especially my eternity with Christ, which is a far better focus.

For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]!

~2 Corinthians 4:17 AMP

When you are struggling through a difficult season, consider that God’s fire season is working in you.

Thank you, Lord, for helping me to see that difficult times are Your refining fire. They show me more of who I am in You. Let Your fire burn away any lies I believe. Help me be strong in this and to learn wisdom. In Jesus’ mighty name, I ask, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2025: Fire Season: Angela Dolbear: All Rights Reserved