Encouragement

---

Waking up in the night, my throat burned from the acrid lingering smell of smoke from the nearby southern California fires. My ears sizzled with infection. Nowhere could I turn to get comfortable. Tossing and turning, I tried to imagine how the firefighters and residents nearer the fires must have felt, for the smoky smell lingers over the southland, leaving us gasping for clean air. Add the smell to the searing pain in my ears, and I know there is no rest for me tonight. Bet there are many many people who will not sleep tonight.

In the morning, as soon as I could get in to see the doctor, I hurried in to find something that would bring relief from this pain. What is it? I ask… Strep throat? Sinus infection? Ear infection? I cannot take most antibiotics, so what can I do?

The doctor assures me the strep test is normal, so no risk of passing that on, but other infections are rampant. She said the poor air quality due to the fires affects everyone’s breathing as well… again my thoughts go to the firefighters and people in the hardest hit areas.

What I am facing is NOTHING in comparison to what they have faced. The loss. The danger. The fear. The heartache. Some have lost their lives. Others have lost everything they own – homeless now, everything gone.

My thoughts turned to how they will spend Thanksgiving. I pray they find shelter and help from nearby churches, agencies etc. I pray they find things to become thankful for.

Then, the pain in my ears and throat and head remind me of my own situation. Yes it is small by comparison, but in my little world, it is huge.

But I find comfort in knowing that absolutely none of these events has escaped God’s notice. He was there with the firefighters. There with the evacuees. He will be there every step of the way as people visit the rubble of what was once their home, and as they begin to rebuild a life. He will be there to comfort those that will let Him. He will guide and provide all that they need.

And, He is here for me. Even my circumstance, though tiny in comparison, is important to Him. He is Lord over the miniscule and the monumental events – the things that cause our knees to weaken and our resolve to turn to jello do not daunt Him in the slightest. His love and compassion are not deterred.

No matter what you face – be it tragedy of circumstance, loss of health or love or livelihood, or these scary financial times – HE is able to provide for you.

Oh sweet Comforter, help those in need tonight. Not just other sore-throated sick people, or fire victims, or exhausted firefighters. Comfort ALL who turn to you. Give us rest. Fill us with hope for tomorrow, for You will surely be there waiting, no matter how our day unfolds. May we lean on your abundantly-capable everlasting arms.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE