I sat down on the floor that night like a woman sitting down to mourn in a house in Cameroon where someone just passed away. In my case, no one was dead but I was grieving.
Uncontrollable steams of tears went down my face. I sat there shaking in anger and talking to God, pouring out all my emotions before Him. I asked Him why He would let me go through something so painful. I yelled at Him for allowing me to go through pain.
I was broken, so broken that I couldn't see any glimmer of hope. All I thought of, dwelled on were negative thoughts. And the more I allowed negativity into my heart, the more I felt hopeless.
Later that night after having several battles with my mind, trying to focus on the positives and trying to sleep, I felt God was bringing a scripture to my mind. It is the scripture that says "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, NJKV)
What stuck out to me in this scripture is the use of 'when' not 'if'. God doesn't say, "if you walk through the fire". He says 'when you walk through the fire." 'If' would mean I may or may not walk through the fire. 'When' means I will definitely walk through the fire.
As I meditated on this scripture I realized that times of walking through the fire are inevitable. I cannot evade it. You cannot evade it. There are hard seasons when we feel like the world is crashing on us and God has forgotten about us.
There are seasons of pain, brokenness, and struggles. But this is what God says: "When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you." That flame is not meant to burn you. It is meant to purify you.
As someone who cooks a lot, I know the dangers and the strengths of fire. Fire can burn you but also, fire can make delicious food happen. It is because of the heat in my kitchen that I am able to cook, to grill, to fry, to saute and bake. Fire/heat makes tasty things happen.
So does the fire in your life, my friend.
You need that fire to build you into the person God wants you to be. The fire is not there to burn you but to prepare you. It is there to help you build character. It is there to build resilience. It is there to make your faith stronger.
And most importantly, note that God is right there with you. As you walk through the fire, as you go through difficulties and question why. As your heart aches in pain. As you cry so many tears that leave you with swollen eyes. As you struggle to find rest at night but sleep evades you, know that He is there, close enough. You will walk through this fire and come out better, strengthened than ever before.
As I realized this that night, I stopped being mad at God and felt peace instead. And I found myself being thankful for something I never thought I will be thankful for, which is trials. Yep, I am thankful for trying moments because they are building moments.
Just remember:
"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, NKJV
Amy says
Hi precious, thank u for such a message. Its so timely for me. May God richly bless and increase u
Precious says
So happy this is timely for you, Amy. May the Lord give you peace.
Linda Ikeri says
Thank you so much ma'am for putting up this here, sometimes i wonder whether my family prayers is been heard by God or not cause the kind of hardship we have been into since i was born, praying and praying and praying is just like he hears us slowing, but you know, one beautiful thing is that he gave us divine health in-spite of all the financial and marital issues. I don't remembering visiting the hospital or running for any emergency, God is faithful.
Reading this gives me hope and encourage, believe that one day God will take away shame and hardship from my family.
Precious says
Amen. God is close to the brokenhearted and He is certainly close to you and your family, Linda. It is great that you see the amazing things in your life to be thankful for like good health. God bless you.
Linda Ikeri says
Thank you so much ma'am for putting up this here, sometimes i wonder whether my family prayers is been heard by God or not cause the kind of hardship we have been facing,praying and praying and praying is just like he hears us slowing, but you know, one beautiful thing is that he gave us divine health in-spite of all the financial and marital issues. I don't remembering visiting the hospital or running for any emergency, God is faithful.
Reading this gives me hope and encourage, believe that one day God will take away shame and hardship from my family.
Linda says
Thank you so much ma'am for putting up this here, sometimes i wonder whether my family prayers is been heard by God or not cause the kind of hardship we have been facing,praying and praying and praying is just like he hears us slowing, but you know, one beautiful thing is that he gave us is divine health in-spite of all the financial and marital issues. I don't remembering visiting the hospital or running for any emergency, God is faithful.
Reading this gives me hope and encourage, believe that one day God will take away shame and hardship from my family.
Aletha Ellison says
Thank you ao much for sharing this. I am going through now as I write this and I needed this to remind me how good God is and always there no matter what. God Bless you for your faith and reaching out to otherts.
Precious says
God bless you too, Aletha. God is certainly with you and He will walk with you all the way through.
mommypharma says
Thank you this literally brought tears to my eyes. It helps to hear/ read it from someone else
mommypharma.wordpress.com
Precious says
This warms my heart, sis. God bless you.
Kelly Chebongkeng says
Hi aunt Precious. One afternoon, I scrolled through youtube channels and stumbled on your coconut rice video. And then I saw many other videos and got interested. Been looking for ways to subscribe but this my phone won't let me. I must say you are God sent. I am getting into adulthood and these are the kind of inspirational words I need to help me grow in the faith. I have been through thick and thin too, I've had battles which went on within me..God kept me, so I wouldn't let go. Thanks very much for making yourself be an instrument for use by God. God bless you richly and keep empowering you as such, so you bless others too.
Precious says
Hi Kelly, this warms my heart so much! So glad you find the videos useful. And I'm so glad these words speak to you. May God continue to keep you, dear. Thanks so much for leaving a comment.
Ziba says
Thank you so much. I looked this scripture up...going through a really difficult time and i find myself saying "God please...remember me!"..feeling overlooked or ingnored. Trying to encourage myself in the Lord, it has been hard. But trusting God is the only way
Precious says
Hi Ziba, you are not forgotten. God is right there with you in the fire. I pray you will hold this truth close to your heart.