When life squeezes you, what comes out?

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Scripture speaks of fire testing, refining and purifying us throughout the Old and New Testaments.

Paul explains that our work will be tested by fire at the judgement seat of Christ:

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it.  For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,  each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.  If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (NASB)

We still have idioms about fire in our language today. We say we "are under fire" when we feel we are being attacked or criticized harshly. We say we are "thrown into the fire" when we are thrust in the middle of a painful consuming circumstance that we don't have control over.

Likewise, during our lives our faith is also tested by fire. Peter wrote:

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (1 Peter 1:6-10 NASB)

Though trials test and refine our faith, we can rest in this knowing, "that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28 NASB)

It's not always easy. Many times the circumstances that refine our faith are painfully difficult. There is an expression that goes something like "when under pressure and life squeezes you, what comes out is who you really are." When we squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out, when we squeeze a tube of toothpaste, toothpaste comes out. When life squeezes us and we feel the pressure from all sides, what comes out of our lips and our lives? When we are in the proverbial line of fire, do we yell and shake our fist or do we praise God anyway?

In the midst of the fire, we can remember God is with us as just He was with Daniel's friends in the fire (Daniel 3:25). He will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) We, like David can call out, "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I!" Psalm 61:1-2 KJV