What is the Purpose of the "Refiner's Fire"?

If you're presently feeling more than a little uncomfortable in the "refiner's fire", or have vivid memories of a recent time when the "heat" seemed almost unbearable, please do your soul a favor and read the post Steve Camp made recently.

To whet your appetite, here's a portion of his closing comments, but don't be satisfied with this little snippet--follow THIS LINK and be reminded afresh that it is God who is at work!!

"So if today you are in the heat of the flame and are in the center of the blaze of His refiner’s fire, remember that God has His eye on you and by His grace will keep purifying you (He will not let it destroy you) until He sees His image reflected in you."