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Chaplain: Hot spots of life reveal much

“So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire…they saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.”

Daniel 3:26b & 27b, NIV

This passage always reminds me of the old saying by President Harry Truman, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” Certainly, these three men were more than willing to endure the heat in order to take a stand for their beliefs. While not many of us are threatened with a literal furnace of fire, we all understand heat and pressure of difficult situations that will come our way. The hot spots in life reveal our character, strength, and faith.

The fire brings the inside to the outside.

Think about popcorn. Each kernel has a tiny amount of moisture within its hard outer shell. As heat is applied, the moisture turns to steam causing the kernel to explode exposing and enlarging what lies inside. The heat of stress exposes our true character. Nice people tend to react with kindness and patience while those with short tempers and dark characters may show off rage and revenge.

Fire spotlights endurance.

A piece of straw and a stick of wood will not last the same length of time in the fire. Life has a way of showcasing the effects of difficulties on human lives. This is especially true when the problems continue for an extended period of time. Inner strength from family, friends, and God can make all of the difference.

Faith fights the fire.

We can face almost any problem if we know the outcome will be positive. Soldiers face the dangers of combat to defend a cause. Astronauts hazard flights into space to open up a new frontier for humanity. The trials of our lives can be overcome as we keep the rewards that God has promised to us in view. People of faith have faced persecution, hardships, and death without wavering because faith has sustained them. Start each day by renewing your faith and trust in God. He is the one who shows the way, opens the door, and walks with you throughout your time on earth.

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