Walking Through Fire

Some of you may know the story about Monday. I was trying to fix my keyboard adapter when it exploded and caught my skirt on fire. It was quite a difficult day and I was really having trouble praising God.

Many people have been praying for me, and things are going so much better! God is encouraging me, teaching me, and strengthening me hourly. One very encouraging email I got was from my sister, Sarah. She said:

"In my Daniel Bible study we were talking about Shadrach Meshach and Abednego in the fire, and Beth Moore highlighted an interesting point. When they came out of the fire they didn't even smell like smoke. We know this and have heard it lots of times. But then she asked us if we smell like smoke through our trials. How many times have we complained, lamented, played the victim, reminded everyone of our hardships, even worn it like a badge of honor (you get the idea) even though God has carried us through? So I thought this was an amazing point to ponder. It is harder than you think to come through adversity without a little smoke. It's just human nature. That's a big one for me to reflect on! I hope I can smell less and less like smoke with each passing day."

What words of wisdom, from my sister and from God! I looked back on how I have been going around in this fire and just complaning or lamenting about my troubles instead of praising God. I know God is bringing me around to that place, but my sister's prayer for me is also mine for myself:

"I pray that as God carries you through this difficult time, that you will come through the fire, refined in your faith, not even smelling like smoke."

Isn't God wonderful! He has taught me so much through these experiences, but even more encouraging was when He reminded me of these words, so fitting:

"...When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel your Savior..." Isaiah 43.2-3