The good Lord made us all out of iron. Then he turns up the heat to forge some of us into steel. – Marie Osmond

Throughout my years as a therapist, I have been privileged with meeting many people who have overcome and dealt with many things that most of us would’ve never been able to face.

There have been cases regarding all forms of abuse, trauma, suicide, death of loved ones, murder of one’s children, infidelity, and many more cases that would make your skin crawl. In most of these cases, I have found a person, who despite facing such treachery while in the grip of life’s burning fire, have found a way to cope with life and continue pushing on!

How were they able to do that? With a certain belief! Let me tell you a story to illustrate what I mean!

I want you to imagine a piece of metal sitting on a table. Now imagine if that piece of metal came alive like a Disney character. There it sits, minding its own business, feeling like life is just fine, and feels good and worthy about itself.

Then suddenly it’s picked up and immediately thrown into a hot burning forge! The piece of metal begins exclaiming, “Why me? I didn’t deserve this! I didn’t ask for this! Why did this have to happen? What did I do to deserve this pain? When is this pain going to end?”

As the metal continues to feel the heat and pain of the forge, it then begins to pray for relief and healing from what it sees as a terrible experience. Just then, it is removed from the heat. “Oh my gosh! Finally, I can feel relief,” the metal screams!

However, before the metal can gain full relief, the pounding begins! Once again, the piece of metal exclaims, “What is going on? I thought I was feeling better but now I am being pounded upon and in pain again! What is wrong with me? Why would anyone allow me to suffer like this?”

The piece of metal continues to endure the painful pounding, reshaping, and grinding that seems to never stop. Just then, it stops! For a moment the metal believes the pain has finally stopped. Nope! It is then thrust back into the hot burning forge again! This time for a much shorter time. Then is pulled from the burning and quenched in a cooling oil that brings relief to the metal!

The piece of metal continues, “Finally! I have relief! This pain and suffering has finally come to an end.”

Just then, it turns to look at itself in the mirror and is awestruck! Tears of joy begin to roll down its face as it sees how it has changed into this beautiful, strong, and powerful sword!

That is how it is with us during our times of pain and suffering. We are thrust into the forge by the blacksmith of life. What we see as pain and suffering is really nothing but a metamorphosis of changes and healing. Once the process is over, we now can see how we are more beautiful, stronger, wiser, and more powerful than before!

So, if you are going through a hard time. Trust the process but, keep an eye on yourself in that mirror. Because one day, you will wake up and begin to see a much stronger and beautiful person reflecting back!

Photo Credit: Image by azboomer from Pixabay

Chris Swenson is a licensed therapist who helps people overcome and face life’s most treacherous challenges. His office is located in Sterling, CO. For an appointment please call Chris at (970) 522-0796.