As we quickly approach the threshold of a new year, some are stepping into 2024 with a feeling of hope deferred. This year I’ve encountered person after person who is experiencing health problems seemingly out of nowhere. I’m experiencing it too.

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I recently read a blog post by Wanda Alger that was quite enlightening. Her story is my story. She describes what the year 2023 has been for her. I read on in stunned silence. Later, as I read through some of the comments people had left her, I saw that many, many Christians have been facing these very same challenges.

It appears there has been an onslaught concerning health and wholeness against many in the Body of Christ. For most, it has not been just one thing, but rather one thing after another — with no apparent breakthrough in sight. Why is this happening?

I believe the answer is twofold. I believe that the Enemy knows his time is short, and so he must do anything he can to cause us to walk away from God and from our faith in God. Otherwise, he also knows, we will see the greatest outpouring of God we have ever seen. There is no doubt: An outpouring is coming! Will we partake of it?

As Scripture makes clear, if we are to partake of this outpouring, we must hold on: For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end (Hebrews 3:14).

It’s no easy thing to stand firm in faith in the midst of the fire. But with God, all things are possible. Still, times like this cause us to have many questions: Where did I miss God? Have I somehow allowed this to come on me? Why am I not seeing breakthroughs? And of course, there’s that age-old voice that speaks against the Most High God by whispering in our ear: “Did God REALLY say healing was for everyone? Remember so-and-so: They had more faith than you, and they died!”

This is no fun place, for sure. And to be honest, before I read Wanda’s post, I felt very alone in my battle. However, after reading the many comments, I realized that this is about much more than my own battle. This is about an attack on the Body of Christ — and it concerns not only personal healings, but also entire families, and finances.

But I did say I felt the answer was twofold. And so the other reason I think this is all happening is that God is preparing Christ’s Body for what comes next: the glory — the outpouring of God. Does this mean that God caused the sickness, the disease, the lack, or the fear? No! Absolutely not. No part of this is from Him. He will, however, use what the enemy meant for our defeat, and turn it for our good, if we stand firm.

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive (Genesis 50:20).

He is the same God today. He will take anything and everything meant for our harm and turn it for our good, if we simply continue to stand in faith. We must stay in the fight. We must believe that He is working and will work all things for our good.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Whether we like it or not, the time will come when there is a testing of our faith: For our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). It is His fire alone that will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

“But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver … (Malachi 3:2–3).

And it shall come to pass in all the land, says the Lord, that two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, but one-third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, this is My people; and each one will say, the Lord is my God (Zechariah 13:8–9).

We see from Scripture that it is God who refines. Silver is refined only one way: by fire. Purification comes one way: by its being plunged into the heart of the fire, the place where it’s the hottest, and kept there until completely purified; until it loses all semblance of what it once was; until the refiner sees his reflection.

Notice that Scripture does not say that God is like a forest fire, or an incinerator’s fire. It says He is like a refiner’s fire. There is a difference. A forest fire destroys everything in its path. An incinerator consumes completely. A refiner’s fire does not work that way.

The Bible says: “For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob” (Malachi 3:6).

Our God is like a refiner’s fire: He refines; He purifies; He removes all the impurities; He burns them up and leaves the gold or silver intact.

The Bible says in 1 Peter that we are kept by the power of God through faith during times like these. It also says we are to rejoice, knowing we will see victory!

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:2–5).

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory (1 Peter 1:6–8).

It’s time to rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory! Why? Because the Bible says that when we’ve been tried, we shall come forth as gold.

… We went through fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment (Psalm 66:12).

The Common English Bible rendition has it: But you brought us out to freedom! I love that!

Friends, be encouraged today. If this year hasn’t been what you had hoped, remember that God is not finished yet. Cast your net of faith one more time, knowing that He truly is a faithful God of more than enough: more than enough peace; more than enough health; more than enough provision.

Remember: Everything can change in a single day, in a moment. Our job is to hold our confidence in His unfailing Word until the end. Our part is to believe that His joy is coming!

… Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).

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Kim Potter is a writer and the founder of A New Thing Ministries, which sends a daily teaching to thousands of people all around the world. Her articles have appeared on The Elijah List, in Charisma Magazine, and on Spirit Fuel and iBelieve.com. Kim’s message is one of hope. She speaks to the hearts of those who have grown discouraged or disappointed by the circumstances of life, to impart hope. Her daily inspirational writings are available at ANewThingMinistries.com. Photo Credit: Avalon_Studio/Getty Images Signature via Canva Pro.