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Tried By Fire Devotional
One of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced was watching someone I love go through deep pain, knowing there was nothing I could do to fix it. This became my reality in January 2022 when my son was thrust into a year-long ordeal that tested his faith to the breaking point. As a father, I wanted to step in and solve the problem, but I quickly realized that this was beyond my control. All I could do was offer comfort, support, and trust that God would work through the fire.
During that year, my son moved back home and set up a workspace in my studio, and we spent our days working side by side. In many ways, it felt like a taste of heaven—this unexpected gift of time together. We had countless one-on-one conversations, and he bared his heart to me, sharing his struggles, doubts, and the overwhelming weight of his suffering. It was a time of deep honesty and connection, something I will cherish forever, especially as I navigate my own journey with Parkinson’s disease. Life seems more precious now than ever.
At one point, my son asked me what I thought about everything he was going through. I told him that the pain, while hard to endure, was worth it for the intimacy, honesty, and love that had grown between us. That may sound selfish, but it was the truth. Our relationship deepened in a way I had never expected, and for that, I was grateful, even in the midst of the hardship.
As his birthday approached in July 2022, I wanted to give him something meaningful, something that would remind him of how proud I was of him. The Lord placed a melody and the first verse of a song in my heart, and I recorded it as a gift for him. The song, “Tried by Fire,” became my way of encouraging him as he faced the fire and slowly emerged stronger, even though the trial was still ongoing.
Almost exactly a year later, in January 2023, the Lord gave me the second verse to the song. By then, my son had come through the fire, shining like gold. He moved back to the city he now calls home, and I couldn’t have been more proud of the way he had faced the challenges with honesty, resilience, and a joyful, adventurous spirit. “Tried by Fire” became not just a song, but a testimony to his strength, his growth, and God’s faithfulness.
This whole experience reminded me of Psalm 26:2, which says, “Examine me, Lord, and put me to the test; refine my mind and my heart.” My son’s trial was a refining process—one that tested his faith, his mind, and his heart. And while it was painful, both for him and for me, it brought forth something beautiful: a deeper relationship with God, a stronger character, and a closer bond between us as father and son.
As I reflect on this journey, I am reminded that the fires we face are never without purpose. God uses them to refine us, to strengthen our faith, and to draw us closer to Him and to those we love. It’s not about avoiding the flames, but about trusting that God is with us in the midst of them, bringing us through to the other side, shining like gold.
If you’re walking through a fire right now—or if you’re standing beside someone who is—take heart. God is working, even when you can’t see it. The refining process may be painful, but it’s leading to something greater. Like my son, you, too, can emerge from the fire stronger, more joyful, and ready to extend love to others along the way.
May this story and song encourage you today to trust God’s refining work in your life, and may you come out of the fire shining with His glory.
Last Updated: February 25, 2026
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Scripture:"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."— Romans 8:28 (NASB) Introduction: Life often brings us moments of trial, uncertainty, and suffering. These are the times that test our faith and challenge our outlook. In such moments, our response is crucial. Will we let the burdens consume us, or will we lift our eyes to the One who is sovereign over all things? Dennis Jernigan, in the midst of personal struggle, found himself at this crossroads, and from that experience, the song "Speechless" was born. Personal Story – "Speechless" by Dennis Jernigan:"This song came one day as I sat before the Lord contemplating my options. Having gone through a very rough period of financial loss and other calamities (like my wife breaking her leg and being incapacitated since June!), I came to the place where I had two choices. I could either focus on the losses and the enemy's perspective, or I could focus on the Lord and HIS perspective. I chose the latter and began to simply thank Him and praise Him. This song came, and joy flooded my soul. It did not change my circumstances... but it did give me the proper perspective. God is in control no matter what, and He uses everything I go through for my good and His glory. And that simply leaves me speechless."— Dennis Jernigan, August 8, 2013 Dennis's story highlights a profound truth: sometimes, we cannot control our circumstances, but we can always control our response. In his case, even amidst financial difficulty and personal hardship, Dennis chose worship. The result wasn't a miraculous change in his situation, but rather a miraculous change in his heart. Worship brought joy and reminded him that God was still in control, using every trial for a greater purpose. Reflection: There's a temptation to believe that if we just pray hard enough or live faithfully, God will remove every obstacle. Yet the Bible and life teach us that often God's work is not about changing our circumstances but about changing us through those circumstances. Like Dennis, we must come to realize that even when our external situations remain the same, God's internal work is what brings peace, joy, and a renewed perspective. Romans 8:28 encourages us that God is always working, even when we cannot see it. Our task is to trust Him and allow worship to refocus our hearts. When we choose to praise God in our pain, we align ourselves with His sovereignty, recognizing that He works all things for the good of those who love Him. A Note on Worship and God's Endless Creativity: Dennis humorously reflects on the fact that a song titled "Speechless" contains so many words:"Years ago, one of the geniuses in Nashville told me I would one day run out of things to write about. I laughed then, and I laugh now. Why? My God is immense and fathomless beyond comprehension. That means His creativity is endless. It means I will NEVER run out of things to say to Him or to say about Him!"— Dennis Jernigan This truth extends beyond songwriting. As we live and breathe, as we go through both trials and triumphs, we can continually find new reasons to praise God. His goodness, His creativity, and His plans are inexhaustible. Let this be a reminder that we will never run out of reasons to worship our God, even in our toughest seasons. Prayer: Lord, I am humbled by Your sovereignty. Even when life is difficult, I know that You are in control, using every trial for Your glory and my good. Help me to choose worship in the face of hardship. Give me a heart of gratitude and joy, knowing that You are with me. I praise You for Your endless creativity and love, which sustain me through every season. Amen. Application: Worship in the Storm:When you face hardship, instead of focusing on the difficulty, spend a few moments worshiping God. This act of surrender will help shift your perspective, much like it did for Dennis. Thanksgiving List:Write down five things you're grateful for, even in the midst of your struggles. Use this list as a reminder of God's faithfulness. Trust in His Creativity:Just as Dennis found endless reasons to praise God, remind yourself that there's always something to be grateful for. Every day, find one new thing to thank God for, and let it fuel your praise.
Scripture:"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."— Luke 19:10 (NASB) Song Story: "Relentless" by Dennis Jernigan"A film that has really resonated with me on a deep, emotional level is the 2009 masterpiece, Slumdog Millionaire. From the moment the opening credits rolled and that pulsing, rhythmic score filled the theater, I was captivated by the story unfolding before me." These words from Dennis Jernigan describe how the film Slumdog Millionaire inspired his song "Relentless." What struck Dennis was not just the vivid portrayal of life in Mumbai, but the persistent, unwavering love of the main character, Jamal, as he sought to reunite with Latika, his childhood love. As Jamal searches for Latika, who has been scarred by trauma and separation, Dennis saw a powerful parallel to his own relationship with the Lord. "I didn't find God—He found me. I was the lost one, the wounded one, and yet His love pursued me relentlessly." Jamal's pursuit of Latika mirrored the way God pursued Dennis throughout his life, especially during times of brokenness. This moment of realization birthed the song "Relentless," which Dennis weaved into his album Sanctuary. The song reflects the all-consuming love of God—a love that chases after us, even when we feel too far gone or deeply scarred. Just as Jamal's love for Latika was unwavering, God's love for us is relentless. He refuses to let us go, seeking us out, healing our wounds, and restoring us to Himself. Devotional: God's love for us is relentless. It doesn't depend on our perfection or our ability to come to Him whole and unscathed. In fact, it is often in our brokenness and vulnerability that His love becomes most evident. Just as Jamal searched for Latika through all the chaos of their lives, God pursues us through the messiness of our existence, offering His unconditional love and grace. Luke 19:10 reminds us that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He doesn't wait for us to have it all together. He meets us in our pain, in our sin, in our woundedness. His pursuit is tireless, and His love knows no bounds. When Dennis reflected on the scene where Jamal kisses Latika's scar, he was reminded of how God doesn't shy away from our scars—whether they are physical, emotional, or spiritual. God embraces us fully, scars and all, and His relentless love brings healing and restoration. Perhaps you, too, have felt lost at times. You may carry the weight of past mistakes, the hurt of old wounds, or the burden of current struggles. But know this: God is pursuing you, even now. His love is relentless. It will not stop until you are safe in His arms, healed, and whole. Reflection: Where have you felt pursued by God in your life?Think about the times when you felt distant from God. How did He draw you back? How did His love pursue you even when you tried to turn away? What scars do you carry that need God's healing touch?Whether they are physical or emotional, we all have scars. Spend time reflecting on how God can use your brokenness for His glory. Allow His relentless love to heal and restore you. How can you respond to God's pursuit today?God's love is active, always seeking us out. In what ways can you turn toward Him more fully? Consider how you can embrace His love and allow it to transform you. Prayer: Lord, I am amazed by Your relentless love that pursues me no matter where I am or what I have done. Help me to recognize the ways You are seeking me and to respond with an open heart. Heal my wounds and use my scars as testimonies of Your grace. Thank You for never giving up on me and for always loving me through every season. Amen. Application: Respond to His Love:Take time this week to reflect on how God has pursued you. Write down specific moments in your life where you felt His love pulling you closer to Him. Embrace Your Scars:Like Latika's scar in Slumdog Millionaire, your scars are part of your story. Share your testimony with someone who may need to hear how God's relentless love has healed and restored you. Listen to the Song:As you listen to "Relentless" by Dennis Jernigan, let the message of God's unyielding pursuit wash over you. Meditate on the ways His love continues to seek and save the lost, and how it has touched your life.