What Does "Refining" mean?

Last night, I went to meet, the choir and band at my work. As I was leaving, they began rehearsal for this Sunday's service. They starting playing a song called "Refine Me" by Travis Cottrell. A man I know named Jody was the lead on it. He has a great voice. I stood there just soaking it in for a minute. The band sounded so good I thought they were a musical track. Then the words hit me like a ton of bricks.

Refine Me-

You're so patient with me
Faithful and sure
To make me into something better
You know prayers that I've prayed
The tears that I've cried

Lord you know my heart's desire
Oh, to know You
To be more like You

Do what You need to
Help me to trust You
Even if Your love brings me suff'ring
Help me to hold on
To know that You're strong enough to see me through completely

Refine me
Your joy will be my strength 
while I'm in these flames
I'm becoming Your reflection
Your kindness will be my song 
Though I'm not alone, 
Your presence is my consolation

Oh, to know you
I'm longing for you

Do what you need to
Help me to trust you
Even if Your love brings me suff'ring
Help me to hold on
To know that You're strong
Enough to see me through completely

Refine me
Oh God! My God!
Refine me
Oh God! Merciful God!

All for Your glory,
All for my good
To know Your love much deeper
Than I thought I ever could

Refine me, Oh!

Do what You need to
Help me to trust You
Even if Your love brings me suff'ring
Help me to hold on
To know that you're strong
Enough to see me through completely

Refine me, 
Oh God! My God! Please!
Refine me, 
Oh God! Merciful God!

Your so patient with me
Faithful and sure 
To make me into something better.

My Pastor has talked about the refining process of gold before. The gold is heated up to a crazy amount so the gold is liquid, the heat brings the impurities to the top, and the goldsmith sweeps them off. 

God wants the best for us. Sometimes, we go through things that feel we are being refined. I do not believe that God punishes us or lets bad things happen to us to be mean. I just think He uses situations and people in our lives to help us become who HE wants us to be. 

Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  He takes the bad situation and turns it around for our good. It might not feel "good" at the time, but in the end, it will be.

As hard as this refining time can be, the good news is that God is always there, helping us through. He loves us so very much. He never leaves or forsakes us. He made that promise, and He, unlike us humans, keeps His promises.

I feel like I am being refined right now. It is not a good feeling. When was a time in your life when you feel like He was refining you? Comment and let's talk about it.