I’ve always been fascinated with the stories behind how things are made. Take, for example, the Steinway piano. Did you know that these pianos are made the same today as they were when they first went into production when Henry Steinway began his business over 140 years ago? The process is not a quick one. Two hundred craftsmen and 12,000 individual parts are required to produce one of these world-renowned pianos. The most crucial part of the process is known as the rim-bending process, when 18 layers of maple are bent around an iron press to create the shape of the Steinway piano. From there, five coats of lacquer are applied and hand rubbed into the maple, leading up to the final process. The instrument then goes to the Pounder Room where each key is tested 10,000 times to ensure its quality and durability.

As I heard that term, the “Pounder Room,” my mind went back to 2 Corinthians 4:7-9. The Apostle Paul says that because of the hope we have in Jesus Christ,

“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” (NLT)

Paul’s description of the trials we face sounds a lot like God’s Pounder Room. Who knew we have so much in common with a Steinway piano?!

Perhaps this is where you find yourself today, friend. Let this word of encouragement find you today: Remember, we’re God’s handiwork and in the pressing, in the crushing, there’s a purpose –– to conform us more and more into His image. The enemy wants the afflictions and trials to push us to despair, yet Paul says the opposite comes: They actually add a glaze of glory to our lives that reflects God’s image and power that’s at work within us.

To God be the glory!