As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.
When we experience problems, suffering, pressure, crushes, and frictions that occur we generally respond negatively: blame circumstances, others, even dare to blame God. Yet sometimes God uses situations and people around us as a means of processing, shaping, and maturing us.
The Bible describes this process as iron sharpening iron. When iron sharpens, iron will inevitably cause friction that injures and causes fire. Fire speaks of emotions, anger, hurt, bitterness, irritation, hatred, and various painful wounds. Through events or relationships with people around us, God is actually working on us because He is the Fallout, who knows exactly how to shape a person’s life. “But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. (Jer 18:4).
God’s purpose in sharpening us is to make us more mature, more perfect, and more pleasing. Therefore we should be grateful for every problem or event that occurs in this life, including the presence of people around us. Never blame circumstances or scapegoat others when it comes to going through this process. Joseph never blamed his brothers even though they had hurt and made his life miserable, and could even say, “Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now – life for many people.” (Gen 50:20).
Our character is precisely formed when we build relationships with others, which is when we experience sharpening. The sharpening process can happen anywhere, anytime, and through anyone.
