walking through the flames

today i went to bayshore community church in gumboro, delaware. i really like it there. everytime i go i feel uplifted/convicted/eyes opened. today pastor tice wrapped up his sermon on stress. (!!!) he discussed how we tend to make mountains out of mole hills. he said we need to compare our situation to the big picture and decide how life threatening it actually is.
he used hte illustration of shadrach, meshach, and abednigo. these men's lives were actually threatened. they were going to die a most painful death.

then, another man was seen walking around with them. there were three and now there are four!
the Son of God was in the fire pit with them! just as he was with them, He is with you and me.

Isaiah 43-

1

But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine.

2

When you pass through the water, I will be with you; in the rivers you shall not drown. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned; the flames shall not consume you.

I feel as though i am drowning. i can't keep up. but it is okay. because i am His, and He is mine. He is with me. i am not drowning. He is my life-preserver. whatever comes, whether i fail out the education program or i squeek by, i find a teaching job in a private school or a public school, i work at pier 1 or the federal government, i will live and thrive, i will not drown, i will not die by consumption of fire. He was with shadrach and his brothers, and He is with me. He has redeemed me, He has called me by my name, He has called you by your name, we are His.