As a teacher, I have many important tools, but one I find most useful is my laminator. I bought one at a fairly low cost. I press a button, align my materials in special sheets (the sheets are the big-ticket items), and I carefully place it in the machine. My materials go through a little heat, and voila they are now protected, durable, and nestled between two heavy plastic sheets.

Without this process, my resources might look okay for a little while, but they will bear the heat of the day when repeatedly touched and held by the little hands I teach.

The laminating process actually reminds me of a trial. Sometimes I go through a little heat or fire, but, in the end, the product is much like my lamination. The result is that I feel stronger, more durable, and not like I will fall apart through normal wear and tear.

The heat may take form in many ways: job loss, illness, wait time for a specific prayer, or conflict. Fill in the blank. 

In the end, the result is a spirit of faith or mindset that is sturdier, stronger, and more lasting. 

1 Peter 1:7 reminds us “that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 

Another key component of laminating is aligning the materials straight between the sheets. There is nothing more annoying than going through the laminating process, and the end result being crooked. Okay, maybe I am being a little obsessive-compulsive. Here comes another analogy. Proverbs 16:9 states, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.” 

Trying to do things my way is much like not aligning materials in a straight fashion between the laminating sheets. In a spiritual sense, when I do not align my will with the Lord’s, the end result is not good. However, when I surrender to the Lord, He orders my steps and they are a straight, smooth line rather than a crooked path. 

In all, turn up the heat, align your faith, nestle between the protection of the Holy Spirit, and the result is stronger faith that will not feel tattered or torn with a little use, but rather sturdy and ready for multiple uses.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.