Iron is used to make all kinds of tools: farming equipment, hand tools, weapons, and more. But for iron to be useful, it must first be made strong. The process starts by heating the iron until it glows red-hot, then hammering it and plunging it into cold water. This removes impurities and reshapes its internal structure, making it tougher and more durable. This process is called tempering. The more the iron is tempered, the stronger it becomes. In fact, the famous Seven-Branched Sword from the ancient Baekje Kingdom in Korea was reportedly tempered 100 times. Tempering is the essential transformation that turns rough metal into a strong, valuable tool.
People often say we truly mature only after going through hardship. So when life heats us up, hammers us down, and throws us into cold trials, maybe we can see those moments not just as struggles, but as the tempering that strengthens us.