Refined and Tested in the Furnace of Affliction

This morning we will continue to root out the old "Carnal Man" way of thinking and responding to suffering and affliction with the "New Man mindset" that recognizes the LORD's work and will is being accomplished in our lives through the testing and refining of our faith and character by what He calls "the furnace of afflictions." What painful afflictions have you experienced in your that led you to the LORD, tested your faith, and also strengthened, refined, and purified your thinking and living? This is a very good question but another is also quite important, how did you respond to these difficulties that often times included pain and suffering? How should the Christian respond when experiencing a furnace of affliction?