I had one of those “paradigm shift” revelations today. Where everything that was before looked completely different immediately after. I was praying. And while I was praying, I suddenly got the thought that Jeremiah 29:11 is the most misunderstood scripture in the Bible.

     Everyone, including myself, thinks that God’s comment of: “I have a plan to prosper you, and not harm you” deals with making our lives as smooth as milkshake, without any speed bumps or hurdles. But I believe the Spirit showed me today that the comment of having a plan to prosper us refers to “our tribulations”. It is through our trials and tribulations that He “prospers us”. And it’s “what we become” as result of them, that gives us “a future and a hope”.

     For the tribulations are the fires of purification and personal transformation. It is within the fires of purification that God burns His likeness and image into us until we are completely dissolved into oneness with God.

     The destiny and purpose that God has for each of us requires us to be mature, and completely whole — and healed of all flaws and cracks in the foundations of our nature. Otherwise, we will not be able to handle the weight of the glory (that is His nature made flesh in us) that we are all called to walk in as manifest or unveiled sons and daughters.

     Therefore, we need to embrace the pressure of our trials. Because it is the refining and perfecting pressure of our tribulations that both strengthens and restores our foundations. Our tribulations are His potter’s hands.

     A very good friend of mine, Pieter Kirstein, told me this evening: “We are not ready to come OUT of the furnace until we can dance with Him IN the furnace.”

     For is it not written: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds” James 1:2.

     “Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

     “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” II Corinthians 4:8-9.

     “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.” And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2:10-13‬