Into the Fire.

"Three Jewish men refused to participate in the pagan worship practices of the Empire. In their stubborn defiance, a gruesome execution was ordered."

Unfortunately, this has happened so many times in human history it's virtually impossible to date this to a specific period. But it is the rough synopsis of what happens in the story of Daniel and his friends by the time we get to Chapter 3. This is what the text says: “Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”” (Daniel 3:24–25, NIV)

"And the fourth..." Ah Nebuchadnezzar...you're onto something here.

While doing some research, I came across this quote from Psychology Today: "Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional."

It sounds good right? Maybe the kind of thing I could put on a canvas print and hang in my office. The writer went on to say, "Happiness isn't the absence of pain. Instead, the secret to living a happier life involves believing you have enough mental strength to embrace your pain and learn from it."

Oh yeah? Tell that to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When they were tossed into a furnace used for baking bricks, mental strength did not save them.

Most of us know this to be true experientially. When you're drowning, the least helpful thing someone can say is, "Hey, you need to learn how to swim!" Not to mention, even the best swimmers can drown if the conditions are bad enough. And thank God for it. If every time I went through hardship and it was up to me resolutely make things better??? That seems like an unbearable burden.

Fortunately, the reality is even better. There is an ultimate Victor over suffering...One who holds the Keys of Death and Hell. When you find yourself in a trial...when your life feels like a dumpster fire (or a furnace fire)...when you walk through the darkest of Valleys...

There is Another who goes with you. You are not alone. More than that...He happens to be the only one who can pull you through to the other side.

This week, we continue our series on YouTube...Resolutions, Ep. 3: Trials, goes live on Sunday morning.

Praying for you,

Steve