Nebuchadnezzar went near the opening of the furnace of flaming fire and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire. The chief administrators, ministers, governors, and the king’s associates crowded around to look at them. The fire hadn’t done anything to them: their hair wasn’t singed; their garments looked the same as before; they didn’t even smell like fire! -Daniel 3:26-27 (CEB)

It’s easy to think that whatever trial we are in the midst of is always going to be with us and has somehow become our new reality. I suspect the three friends of Daniel who were doomed to enter the fiery furnace were thinking they might not come out alive. Job probably thought all of his best days were behind him as he wondered why God took all the things he cherished away. Despite what surely seemed to be the concluding chapter of his life, he kept his faith (although while fighting doubt and certainly some self-pity). In the end, he passed through the trials and came out better off for it. In the end, Daniel’s friends (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) passed through the door into the furnace and then back out, unscathed.

You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away. -Job 11:16 (NRSV)

The Bible clearly tells us in many ways time and time again not to sit in whatever we’re going through and make it our new reality. Life is full of bumps in the road. Such things are navigable with the help of the Holy Spirit, His Word and a dash of perseverance.