The furnace of affliction!

The apostles had a clear picture of the fact that we had to undergo various trials and tribulations during our spiritual journey here on earth. Peter declares that we ought not to be surprised at the fiery ordeals that we may have to undergo. Paul goes so far as to claim that we are undergoing the sufferings of Christ Himself. In all these, we find that God does not want us to be taken aback when difficulties come our way. We have been given the false notion that walking with God involves as little trouble as possible and that every difficulty should vanish when we declare victory over it. The Bible gives us a different story. 
May we see that the furnace of affliction is necessary to purify us like gold. May we learn to share in the sufferings of Christ, fully aware that it is a vital part of our sanctification process. God is not unmindful of the storm that comes our way. In fact, He is sometimes the One who sends the storm. The lessons of perseverance are one of the most vital ones. Let's have a healthy view of our distresses. We need them as much as we need God. since God is the One walking with us through it. 

Speaking gibberish is the test!

Oftentimes, I wonder regarding the way God has ordained for believers to move deeper into the realm of the Spirit. What I mean by that, is regarding the whole realm of the supernatural, where God the Spirit works through us in amazing and powerful ways. There are many good saints who are either scared to move into those dimensions or because they want to appear 'dignified' all the time. Their inner queries are - Why on earth would God use such a thing as speaking in tongues to denote the realm of the Spirit? Can't there be a more sombre way of doing this? - they ask. Many are tense about demons and devils and don't even want to know more of this sphere of Holy Spirit activity. 
I would say that God in His wisdom, is willing to open up this realm only to those who are willing to swallow their pride and drink a big dose of humility. It is given only to those who are willing to become like little children. What I mean is that we have to let down our mental defences and be willing to appear inane. 'Tongues' seem quite a foolish thing, but it is a doorway into the deeper things of the Spirit. Speaking what sounds gibberish is God's way of saying - 'Let me take control of you in a way that you are totally helpless but willing to give up even your capacity to understand before you do something'. The spiritual realm is open only to those who are willing to appear 'foolish' not only to the world but to themselves as well. Sounds strange but 'tis true.