“He leads me beside still waters and He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:3

Healing

I admit it, I panicked the evening of July 26; our worst nightmare was happening. Although I was in constant prayer, my gut was churning and my mind was all over the place. Fear has its way of wiggling and disabling even the prepared. I was having trouble holding on to God’s peace. After the call from my sister of their whole neighborhood up in flames and barely escaping with their lives, with no warning, I panicked. The fire had jumped the river and went crazy up and over ridges within minutes. We could hear the roar of the fire, and explosions. Looking to the west from our deck we could see flames not more than two miles away.

We prayed and tried to rest. Tried to climb into that place where the peace of God surpasses all understanding, but not knowing if the monster fire would continue its path throughout our city kept me ever watchful. I know God’s perfect LOVE casts out all fear (1 John 4:18) and that I have a choice to allow nasty fear to grip me. I spent the night praying for our city, not knowing at any minute if the call would come and we, too, would have to run for our lives.

God is faithful. We have to trust and realize His purposes and ways are much bigger and right for His glory. I need to live in this place. This is the message of hope we have.

After all the destruction, we don’t quit. We keep holding on. The trial continues, but “we set our minds on things above, not things of the earth” (Colossians 3:2.)

People handle loss differently. Those that don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus may be drinking away their sorrow, but they still have to deal with life. Jesus’ living water is the only drink that can truly satisfy and heal, and not cause more destruction.

We are His hands and feet to those at a loss who are hurting all around us. As they sift through the ashes, meet with insurance companies and other resources in a numb state, the Lord equips us to come alongside with words and love beyond our natural bent to meet needs and help. The Lord reminded me of this verse: “Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard” (Isaiah 58:8).

Let us go through these next weeks, months, and maybe years ready and willing to move as Jesus would to those around us as our city heals, dressed daily in Christ, prepared to reach out and give whatever God would call us to give as He loves through us.

“Thank you, LORD, for Your healing love and peace. Thank You for the still waters You lead us to drink from that restore and equip. God, we pray that You would be huge as our city heals. All is for Your Glory. Amen.”