Faith in the Fire

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No one I know goes looking for problems, setbacks, challenges, dilemmas, whatever you call those happenings that are the opposite of good times and smooth sailing. I most certainly do not.

Without those times, though, how do I know what I say I know when times are good? How do I know that God is faithful? That faith and prayer do work? That the Holy Spirit is alive and present to perform His ministry as Comforter and Counselor? The truth is that I won’t know for sure outside of challenging times, so although I will never go looking for trying times, I welcome them when they come for two reasons: One, problems are inevitable; this, after all, is real life, and every now and then “my turn” comes around. And two, as a believer, I know I’m victorious even in the midst of the most trying of times. You see, every issue has an expiry date because this problem-ridden world itself has an expiry date. 

December 5, 2024 was a day! it was my daughter’s 26th birthday, and if I may sit in my feelings for a moment, that wonderful milestone felt like the only thing great about that day. 

At the moment, in the midst of all the things for which I am grateful, there are also several situations that are concerning to me. I broke down at work for a few minutes, and I had barely dried my tears when I got terrible news that, if I allow it, can really weigh me down. But can I tell you that I’m excited? Maybe that sounds crazy, so let me hasten to add some details.  I’m excited because my previous sentiments alluding to the positive side of challenges weren’t just me being “super spiritual.” Again, I won’t go looking for a headache, but when I get one, my “faith sense” goes into overdrive, and I see beyond what I see. It’s the work of the Holy Spirit, pure and simple, and I love it. It’s a reminder that my faith is real and effective.

So yes, I’m smack in the middle of what I see as another adventure and excited to see how this one will play out. I have faith in the fire.

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