Hope That EnduresSample

When You Go Through the Fire

Mike and Rachel Dunn and their two teenaged sons had just spent five years restoring their two-story craftsman-style house on the inside, and they were ready to put the finishing touches on the outside. The 1928 house was sturdily built and all hardwood inside. Their home had become a beautiful jewel with gorgeous architectural details. All their hard work had paid off.

But on Monday afternoon, November 4, 2019, their world fell apart as flames began flickering in the house, the old dry hardwood adding fuel to the fire. An emergency personnel volunteer who drove by reported the house was fully engulfed. The family stood and watched with tears on their faces as their dream house, their hard work, and all their possessions went up in flames.

But on that night when the Dunn family lost their home and everything they owned, Mike posted this on social media: “We serve an amazing God. We have been reminded tonight of the important things in our lives. My family is safe, we have a wonderful place to stay thanks to a dear friend, and neighbors and friends have come from everywhere to support us during this time. Our home is a total loss, but we are blessed with godly friendships that cannot be lost in a fire.”

That’s grace, friend. Only God can give that kind of peace and comfort when everything in your life has changed in just a few moments, when you’ve suddenly become homeless, are left with nothing but the clothes on your back, and are looking at the blackened shell of what was once your beloved home.

Friend, sometimes we have to go through the fires of life, just as Mike and Rachel did. But God uses those moments to refine us and to build our faith, so that we may end up praising, glorifying, and honoring Him. And that makes all of it worthwhile.

A loving community stepped in as Smith County gave feet to the community’s prayers for the Dunn family. Numerous donation sites were set up as the townsfolk became extensions of God’s loving hands.

Two years after the fire that changed their lives forever, Rachel Dunn wrote this: “After two years, life does go on. You live the best you can as though that day—those days—never happened. But then the smell of fire or the sight of smoke seeping through the trees brings back those overwhelming feelings trailed by floods of memories. The extra pounding of the heart every time you hear or see a fire truck. It just doesn’t go away.

We still have so much that was given to us from the depths of so many hearts. I will never forget all who helped in our family’s most heartbreaking time. As we move past this date every year, it’s God’s grace, love, and mercy through His children that I’ll remember the most.”

As it says in 1 Peter 1:6-7 (niv), “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Friend, sometimes we have to go through the fires of life, just as Mike and Rachel did. But God uses those moments to refine us and to build our faith, so that we may end up praising, glorifying, and honoring Him. And that makes all of it worthwhile.

Prayer

Lord, going through the fire, whether literally or figuratively, isn’t something that I want to experience. But I know those moments of testing are part of Your plan for me so that I’ll become mature and strong in You. God, I know that there will be other fires in my life, not actual flames, but trials where I stand in disbelief and heartache at what is happening to me. Refine me. Help me to come through the fires better instead of bitter. Make my faith rock steady. And help me to praise and glorify You through all the difficult times I encounter in my life. Amen.

Reflection Questions

1. Mike Dunn watched his home burn down, yet he was able to praise God. Why do you think he could do that?

2. Why does God send the fires of life—the times of testing—to you?

3. How can you glorify Christ through the trials you encounter?

Reach the World Around You

When there’s a disaster, folks usually reach out immediately to help. But often just as much help is needed weeks or months down the road. Think of someone who’s been through a life-changing event. Contact him or her to ask if there are hands-on things you can do to help. Whether it’s putting up fallen fences, clearing away debris, helping a widow or widower with something, or for a group of people to pool funds and send folks who are floundering emotionally on a fully-paid getaway, you can be the hands and feet of Jesus to show them that you care.