“Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics.” Esther 2:12
I read the book of Esther and think, ‘Twelve months of beauty treatments… That’s like a year at the spa.’ I don’t know about you, but I fully enjoy spa visits. That’s where I go to be pampered head-to-toe in a tranquil, soothing setting. Some of the services offered include scalp massage, facials, full body massage, body scrubs, body wraps, mud baths, manicures, pedicures, foot massage, hot tubs, and saunas.
If that sounds inviting, I want you to hold that image in your mind the next time you go through a trial. That may seem crazy but consider 1 Peter 4:12-13: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”
Saunas, whether steam or dry, are hot. Heat from the sauna relaxes the body’s muscles, improves circulation and stimulates the release of endorphins. Saunas cause you to sweat and release toxins, cleanse the skin, and release stress. God may use fiery trials in much the same way to rid our lives of dross and spiritual toxins or those things that have us bound. Remember the three Hebrew boys? Their ordeal in a fiery furnace left them unharmed and unbound. When onlookers peered in, four individuals were seen in the flames. We can go through a fiery trial in such a way that others see Jesus. (See Daniel 3)
And what about the many abrasives used at spas and at home? If your bathroom cabinets and drawers are anything like mine, you have nail files, emery boards, pumice stones, loofas, foaming facial scrubs, and body scrubs. All these things that are somewhat harsh and abrasive leave our skin silky smooth. That may be how God wants to use that rough, abrasive person, people, or situation in your life. They’re in your life to help smooth off your rough edges. “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” (Phl. 4:5)
Has someone ever rubbed you the wrong way? Perhaps someone’s words or behavior left you feeling like they walked all over you. Think massage—the rubbing and kneading of muscles and joints of the body with the hands, especially to relieve tension or pain. There are many types of massage techniques—Swedish, hot stone, aroma therapy, deep tissue, sports massage, shiatsu, reflexology, and others, commonly applied with hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms, or feet. My first Thai massage was actually in Thailand. Although fully clothed, my eyes popped open when my masseuse climbed up on the table with me, grabbed me by my wrists, and put her foot in my back. Then she held onto poles above her head and used her feet to apply pressure to my muscles. We get offended when folks “rub us the wrong way” or “walk all over us”. But at a spa we actually pay people for doing the same thing and then add a tip on top of it.
A great day at the spa can leave us longing for more, and a year of spa services sounds divine. But facing a yearlong fiery trial, dealing with abrasive people, having your name dragged through the mud, or being rubbed the wrong way over and over may just mean that you’re not only in ministry but in God’s spa. Persevere through the process. Allow God to purify, perfume, and perfect you.