Another In The Fire
I think we can all agree that this past year did not go as we had planned. We couldn’t really travel, we were forced to stay in our homes and life as we knew it has completely changed. People lost jobs, loved ones, students couldn’t have a real graduation ceremony and a lot of us worked from home. Some people were more affected than others but either way it’s been a rocky year for everyone. But though things around us have changed, one thing has remained the same. That One is God. He will never leave or forsake you. Even when you struggle and you felt the farthest you’ve felt from Him ever, He was still by your side, working for your good.
We are not always going to run to Jesus first. A lot of the times we try and fix situations ourselves first and then when that doesn’t work out, we go to God and say things like: “Hey God, can you please help me? I’m really over here struggling. I tried to fix it, but I failed, and I don’t know why. Could you please fix the situation?” When we do this, we are making Him our second resort. Instead of going directly to Him, we often think that we can do it all ourselves first. He loves and cares for us and He wants to help us. But we have to let Him and stop trying to fix things on our own. Being a Christian doesn’t mean that our problems go away, but it means we have hope and faith in a God that is with us in the struggles and in the trials, shining a light in the darkness to show us that it will get better. We just have to trust His process.
In Daniel chapter 3, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the burning fiery furnace for not worshiping King Nebuchadnezzar’s gods or the golden image he set up for them. When the three were thrown into the furnace, there was another in fire standing next to them. And when it was all over, they didn’t have a single burn mark on them, for they knew that God was with them, watching over them and protecting them from all harm.
In times of struggle and hardships when it literally feels like we are being thrown into the fire, God is not waiting for the right time to help you, He is right there beside you, going through everything with you. You will never be alone. Even though times are crazy, just remind yourself that God is with you. Even when it feels like He is far away He isn’t, He’s right next to you. I encourage you to find the good and joy even in the hard times. Trust in Him fully and ask for His guidance; I promise He will fulfill His promise to you.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9
Blog by Aqueena Crisp of CrossWay International Baptist Church.
Published on 17. March 2021 from Berlin, Germany.
Photo by Joshua Newton on Unsplash.