Going Through the Fire

Going Through the Fire There is nothing better then a warm crackling fire after the first snow. Sitting there listening to the oak popping and the cherry woods sweet smelling aroma. Life is the same way. A good fire in our lives is extremely painful yet extremely necessary. Don't get me wrong I hate the firefights that some call trials. Believe me I have more than my share. Name it, I probably have gone through it. God allows the firefights to happen in your life to burn away the dross of life. Just like a forest has the grasses that grow up choking out flowers, new growth and yes concealing the dead things (stumps, animals, stagnant water), we too have similar things in our lives. Maybe it is simply the crazy business of life or hidden sin which is rotting our spirit or maybe simply forgetting God's promises. In Group 1 Crew's song "He Said" they put the focus on God's promise and how our mind set must be in these trying times. Here is a sample for there song with probably my favorite part. He Said- (Group 1 Crew & Chris August) So your life feels like it don’t make sense And you think to yourself, “I’m a good person So why do these things keep happening Why you gotta deal with them You may be knocked down now But don’t forget what he said What he said He said “I won’t give you more More than you can take in I might let you bend But I won’t let you break You know oh I’ll never ever let you go” Don’t you forget what He said Don’t forget what He said He said Who you are and what you’re going throughn (yeah) So don’t let it get the best of you Cuz God knows everything you need So you ain’t gotta worry You may be knocked down now But just believe what He said He said My favorite line has to be "who you are is not what you are going through." Too often we find ourselves in the thick of things only to think it is our life, identity or "the cards that were dealt to us." God's best is not a card game nor are we the pawn in His chess game. Far better, we were made in His likeness. Just like Him to joy in His best for you. Do you remember His promises? Have you forgotten what He said about you? If so I listed a few of His promises for you. I encourage you to search for more in order to be encouraged during the hard times. Ps. 94:14-15    God will never walk away from his people, never desert his precious people. Rest assured that justice is on its way and every good heart put right. Josh. 1:5 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Deut. 31:6 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Ps. 91:14-16  14-16 "If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God,        "I'll get you out of any trouble.     I'll give you the best of care        if you'll only get to know and trust me.     Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times;        I'll rescue you, then throw you a party.     I'll give you a long life,        give you a long drink of salvation!" Ps. 37:25 25 I was young and now I am old,     yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. Regardless the trial God knows the best way to bring things back into balance. Believe me it can be the most difficult thing to go through. Remember this though God will never leave you or forsake you. Wait for His healing because His plan is for your best. CAL