Day 249 Through the Flames

 

9/6/2025

"When you pass through the waters, I will be

with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,

nor shall the flame scorch you."

Isaiah 43:2  

 

Finally, a relaxing Sabbath day, beginning with the sun peeping through my window brightly shining,  Alex scratching at the front door, and Mia standing outside the bathroom door, as I wash my face. She voiced her obvious displeasure at my inattentiveness to her needs, and walked with me to the kitchen, seemingly out of sorts. Her bowl was empty, and there was a bug in her water. Her demeanor changed once her bowls were washed and filled. Alas, this is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice in it!

Once again, my day began early, so I spent the morning quietly, backtracking to the book of Job where I had left off earlier at Chapter 22. Eliphaz, the oldest of the trio of "friends" who have come to console Job in his misfortune and pain, has begun round three in his "encouragement" for his old friend. At least they kept quiet the first seven days before they began to pounce on him in his understandable misery. But Job doesn't skip a beat, once Eliphaz has finished pouring out wisdom. Poor Job, but now I understand the cliche, "having the patience of Job." I'm not so certain I could have been as generous.

In Harvest Discipleship's daily discussion based on Pastor Greg's daily devotional, the question was posed, "When have you gotten the sense that you were not walking alone through a storm in your life?" In my personal experience, I have always walked alone, while knowing Jesus was walking with me. But, I don't count all the years of not having the support of friends or a pastor or mentor to walk beside me as loss, but it is regretful that people do not seem to sense the needs of others. Perhaps because I was strong in the Lord, even when I was at my weakest asking for help, but it is not an offense to me, because having Jesus is everything to me. Job trusted God, although he didn't understand why this misfortune, this incredible loss, happened to him. He never doubted the Lord, even when his wife told him to curse God and die. That's great support, and reminiscent of my situation in some ways. I have to laugh, because although at the time, it was beyond overwhelming and extremely devastating, I made it, because Jesus was walking with me, feeling His strength, His Word grafted on my heart.

In my Daily Walk overview, the following example was given: "It's a good thing that iron, coal, and bauxite don't have a  voice in the matter. If they did, chances are good there would be no such thing as steel, diamonds, and aluminum! Why? Because heat, pressure, and time are all involved in transforming these 'raw materials' into something better, stronger, more useful, more beautiful. Take away the process and you also lose the product." 

Many times I've shared about the pressing, the crushing, the pruning, and the trials by fire as we journey this life with Jesus, surrendered to His will. Right now, I continue to trust Him as I encounter daily trials - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually being tested. At the moment my recent falls have created increased pain. I had already been experiencing neuropathy in my feet and ankles from damage to the nerves over the years from head and body trauma, but this morning I started feeling as if nails were being spiked into my toes, in addition to the other symptoms. Again, I have to laugh, because I've endured much, much worse in my lifetime, and I know that the culprit is my last fall on that side of my body with pressure on the already pinched nerves. It's time I realized that there are things this ole body can't do as well as I used to. Swinging from tree limbs and wrangling with nasty vines is one of them! But I'll sort it out, with the help of Jesus, and the indwelling presence of Holy Spirit, guiding me on the straight path!  Whether trudging through the valley sidestepping rabbit holes, wading across the streams, or hiking up the mountains on the journey set before me, I know He's near.