When you pass through the waters, I am with you;

when you pass through the streams, they will not overwhelm you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;

the flames will not harm you. –Isaiah 43:2 (NET)

A life that includes walking with Jesus does not mean a life free from pain and suffering. Sometimes I get concerned with the way some T.V. preachers portray the Christian life as one of relative ease and prosperity. Often, there are painful experiences we must endure because we live in a fallen world and the effects of sin are everywhere and touch everybody’s life at one time or another. Notice the verse above does not say you will never walk through the fire, nor does it say ‘if.’ It says when. Are you ready?

Then King Nebuchadnezzar was startled and quickly got up. He said to his ministers, “Wasn’t it three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied to the king, “For sure, O king.” He answered, “But I see four men, untied and walking around in the midst of the fire! No harm has come to them! And the appearance of the fourth is like that of a god!” –Daniel 3:24-25 (NET)

The excerpt above reminds us that, whenever we do pass through the fiery trials, there is always somebody with us. We simply need to turn to Him for the peace that passes all understanding.