Friday, August 1, 2014

By: Gwen Hitt

Walking THROUGH the Fire

1 Peter 5:10  And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Have you ever wondered why two individuals facing similar situations react in totally different ways?  One of these individuals manages to hold on to his faith while the other person totally turns away from God ... blaming Him for whatever is going on.  

I once read a statement that has remained with me: "When crisis and pain hit, we need to WALK THROUGH THE FIRE instead of looking for a way out or around it." For a moment, I want you to imagine yourself faced with a roaring fire in your path.  The natural response would be to look for a way to escape this inferno. 

Today's scripture provides the key to what causes two people to handle their dire circumstances differently as well as the source of strength necessary for someone to face fiery situations. God promises in this verse that He is with us through all that we encounter ... making us strong, firm, and steadfast in our faith. 

No matter what we are going through, we can always be assured that God is standing on the other side of our suffering - equipping us to move forward in the plans that He has for us. My challenge to you today is to grasp God's promise to  make you strong in your suffering .. to know that He will never leave or forsake you EVEN in your darkest times.

Dear Lord, Help me to put my faith in You when my obstacles appear to be insurmountable. Continually remind me that I am never alone AND that through You I can be strengthened to walk through even the most intense fires of my life. 

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.

Reflection:  Are you believing in His promise to restore you even in your toughest times?