Human amalgam...

Pure gold is one of the softest metals on earth, with many valuable qualities.  It is extremely malleable, and can be beaten into gold leaf so thin it is almost transparent.  It is highly reflective, and also an excellent conductor of heat and electricity.

The most prominent usage of gold is for jewelry, where its various qualities make it the perfect setting for most precious gemstones.  But there are many industrial uses for gold, as well, especially in the technology industry, where it is used as a component for various types of electronic equipment, especially computer circuit boards and other internal parts.

Because of its very softness, gold cannot be used alone.  In order to be functional, the gold must be mixed with another element to harden and convert it into something durable and useful.  Copper, palladium and nickel are most commonly used as tempering forces, bringing their own qualities into the mixture, and creating something more utilitarian than either part on its own.  The additional metal used will determine its strength, color and function.  Without something to strengthen it, gold, despite its preciousness, is useless.

Iron is the most commonly used metal used in the world.  When mined and smelted without creating alloys with other substances, it also is fragile.  When iron is wrought in a forge, it is too malleable to hold its shape for a sharp edged tool.  But when it is cast, it becomes brittle and fragile.

By mixing the iron with carbon, steel is created.  The hard, durable steel is used in bridges, ships and other large scale projects where durability and stability are required.  On their own, neither iron nor carbon would be fit for purpose.  Together, they are unmatched in their usefulness.

People are like gold and iron.  Both precious and vulnerable, they are fragile, prone to failure, and easily bent in the turmoil of daily life.  It is so easy to give way to the common failings of doubt, fear, anger, hurt, guilt - every negative force that Satan sends our way.

But God has provided a tempering force for that weakness.  In Philippians 4:13 (NKJV), Paul states:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

When he wrote those words, Paul was likely imprisoned for proclaiming the word of God, and facing an uncertain future.  He was tried and tested, over and over again, and through it all, he held fast to his faith that God was there for him at all times, and in all things.

When we are tried and tested, as everyone will be in this life, we have the same claim on God that Paul had.  We are not required to withstand the vagaries of mortal existence on our own. The Savior who endured death on the cross for our sake will also be with us as we face whatever trials we must bear in our life.  God has provided Jesus as the transformative element in our human amalgam, and with him, we are stronger than anything that life can hurl our way.

Anthony Showalter and Elisha Hoffman wrote the following hymn to comfort friends who were grieving the deaths of their wives.  Based on Deuteronomy 33:27, this hymn reminds us that God will always keep us safe, and we can find security and strength in his presence and promise:

Leaning On the Everlasting Arms

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
  Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
  Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
  Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
  Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
  Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
I have peace complete with my Lord so near,
  Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!

Leaning, leaning,
  Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
  Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.

We can do anything when we are tempered with God's power and grace.  We are strong, we are mighty, we are safe in his everlasting mercy.