I believe that I've walked through many trials successfully. Not always, but for the most part I've come away with the lesson.
In 2006 I left Texas to return to Oklahoma at what I sincerely believed was the end of a "trial", started a new career and a new outlook on life. Less than a year and half later I find my life in total turmoil, it took me a minute or two to realize it was once again a "trial". I've since discovered that maybe just maybe the end of 2006 wasn't the end of the fire but that God repositioned me for a reason and I was to continue the walk.
Trust me, when I say that I did continue. Long past what I thought the lesson should be. Late 2010, I was finally starting to see the other side of the mountain. I'm not sure even at this point that I realized I had been going through the fire. But once on the other side, I knew without a doubt that for 4 solid years, I had walked!
The valley, the trials, the fire, whatever you call them aren't necessarily over when you see the light at the end of the tunnel, if you haven't conformed to the reason God decided this time was necessary, he will lighten it up, but it will continue without a doubt. Don't be tricked into believing cause life gets better, you've come away with the lesson!
I believe that when you can't destroy your own happiness and you can't run from something uncomfortable and that God finally has you situated, then maybe just maybe that's the end. When you can willingly give up something inside you that is buried so deep it was considered a good trait, then maybe God has finally worked on you. When life is no longer what "you" make it, but it's a daily surprise and you are in awe of how "THIS" has come about, then maybe it's GOD and what he decided your life to be.
I guess what I'm trying to say is there is no timeline for walking through the fire, there is no time line for becoming who you were always supposed to be, or what you were always supposed to be, but if you give it to Him, he will get you there. You might be surprised where he takes you, what he does with you...but you find that honestly, you couldn't have done better yourself. That is relenting!