10-18-17 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY… THE HEAT IS ON!! YOU CAN HANDLE THIS!! We all know the feeling of stress. It can be overwhelming. The feeling of helplessness when the things we face are bigger than we feel we can handle. Stress can come from financial issues that are bigger than our income. Stress can come from relational issues that we can’t find an answer to. Stress can come when our jobs seem to be in jeopardy. The heat is on. No one likes that feeling. It happens when pressure gets tight, when deadlines get close, and when expectations get intense. Daniel had three friends who experienced the heat being on them, both figuratively and literally. When Daniel’s friends wouldn’t bow in worship to a statue of King Nebuchadnezzar, the king angrily had his men toss them into a fire and turn up the heat seven times hotter. Literally, the heat was on. God says, don’t sweat the heat, I am with you. (Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.) You can handle the stress you are facing. I like the words of the Crabb Family’s song, THROUGH THE FIRE. So many times I question the certain circumstances And things I could not understand. Many times in trials my weakness blurs my vision And that’s when my frustration gets so out of hand. It’s then I am reminded, I’ve never been forsaken. I’ve never had to stand one test alone. As I look at all the victories, the Spirit rises up in me. And It’s through the fire my weakness is made strong. GOD ALWAYS COMES THROUGH ON OUR BEHALF!! Pastor Don