🚭 Refined by Fire
When God Uses Blessings to Break Bondage
As I’ve been reflecting on this recent journey of employment, the closed doors, the unexpected openings, the humbling shifts, I realized something deeper was happening beneath the surface.
I love to reevaluate what God is doing. I look back and ask, “What were You shaping in me, Lord?” At first, I clearly saw Him working on my pride. Then my greed. Then my patience.
But as I looked even closer… I saw something else.
He is working on my addiction.
Not loudly. Not harshly. Not with condemnation.
But gently. Strategically. Lovingly.
Working inside people’s homes… handling their clothing… serving families… being around children, I had a moment of clarity. I cannot continue smoking. I do not want to smell like smoke. I don’t want smoke on my hands while touching someone’s belongings. I don’t want secondhand residue affecting anyone I come into contact with.
And that realization wasn’t rooted in shame.
It was rooted in care.
It was rooted in love.
And that’s when I saw it, God wasn’t just providing income. He was positioning me for freedom.
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” — John 8:36
He is breaking bondage and strongholds in my life.
He is using tangible blessings, real assignments, real responsibility, real people to call me higher. To call me cleaner. To call me surrendered.
He is helping me lay down the very free will He gave me.
Not by force.
But by love.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” — Psalm 51:10
Even in moments when I feel hopeless about quitting… even when I feel weak… even when I am frustrated with my own cycle, He has not left. He still shows up. He still provides. He still blesses. He still works.
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” — Exodus 14:14
Despite my continuous sinning… despite my struggle… despite my moments of doubt, He has not given up on me.
And that is what humbles me the most.
Glory be to God in the highest for all He has done, and all He is still doing.
🌱 Takeaway
Sometimes God answers our prayers for change by placing us in environments that require surrender. The blessing becomes the catalyst for freedom.
💛 Encouragement
If you feel stuck in a cycle, whether addiction, pride, fear, or impatience, please hear this: God has not given up on you. Even when you feel hopeless, He is still working. Sometimes the very doors He opens are the tools He uses to break chains.
Freedom may not come in a lightning bolt. It may come in responsibility. It may come in love for others. It may come in small, daily surrender.
And that still counts.
💬 Engagement
What is something in your life that God may be gently refining through your current circumstances?
Is there an area where His blessings are quietly calling you higher?
I’d love to hear what He is revealing to you. Feel free to leave a comment or email me at amesgodnewsletter@gmail.com.
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 this brings me so much joy 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽