In Others’ Words: These Days …

Beth VogtFaith, Life, Reality 19 Comments

We are facing another wildfire here in Colorado Springs: the Black Forest Fire.

The fire erupted on Tuesday and has already become the largest and most destructive fire in Colorado history. As I type this, it is all of 5% contained. 360 homes have been burned — completely destroyed. 15,700 acres destroyed.

We are safe — the fire is northeast of us. After last summer’s Waldo Canyon Fire, I know how quickly circumstances can change. I tell people I am stressed … but I am not worried.

There’s a difference.

Knowing there’s a wildfire ten miles from my home? That’s a stressor. Waking up to the smell of smoke? Stressor. Watching the evacuation area grow bigger each day? Stressor.

But I am not worried. This is no time for “How could a loving God let this happen?” litanies. Nor is it time to doubt God’s care for me — or for anyone. And I made a decision years ago that I would trust God no matter what. After going through a season of doubt, I learned that I’d rather walk through the hard times, the heartbreaks, clinging to God, then to walk them alone and in my own strength.

 God does not change. He alone is enough.

In Your Words: How are you today?

The Black Forest Fire: Finding God is Enough Click to Tweet

 Discovering the Difference Between Stress & Worry Click to Tweet

Comments 19

  1. Beth, I love this post because I love your faith!

    I, too, have learned to trust God no matter what. It’s been a bit of a stressful week for me too. After losing my first husband suddenly, my new husband has taken our teenage sons on a mission trip to Honduras, which claims the unwanted title of the “World’s Murder Capital.” Earlier in the week, I found myself having “what if …” thoughts, but I remembered His promises and I’m at peace.

    Meanwhile, I’m praying for you and others in Colorado.

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    Roxanne,
    I’ve watched you walk out life with faith for years now … and it is woven deep within the fabric of who you are. Praying for you and for Steve and the boys while they are on their trip.

  3. Praying for you and your family, Beth…and everyone impacted by the fire…and the awesome firefighters and emergency responders. Man, Colorado needs a break! Praying!

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  4. I appreciate and admire your faith. I also appreciate that you said you walked through a season of doubt. I’ve been there more often than not the past five years, but I know it will pass. Everything eventually does. I also know sometimes doubt is a great faith-builder – sounds like it worked for you, which gives me hope. Praying for you and all who are near the fire.

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      Kim … there’s a whole other story behind the “I walked through a season of doubt” phrase. I need to share it sometime. Yes, it was a faith-builder … but it was a lot of other things before that.

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  5. Yes, praying for those there. I’ve been admin. support at forest fires & know their devastation, even a life lost at ours. This is so appropriate for a family situation also I can’t share at this time. Usually sameness bores me, but not w/ God. His sameness, constancy, is Isaiah’s nail in a sure place, the north star pivoting the big dipper for us to steer by. Thank God for his ever-the-sameness today, tomorrow, and every tomorrow.

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  6. A friend and I were talking the other day and the question of why God lets bad things happen to good people came up. He said, why not? James tells us what to do when, not if, we go through trials. God doesn’t promise we won’t go through trials, but He does promise He’ll be there with us, giving His peace.

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  7. Beth, how very heartbreaking to hear of the fire destruction in your beautiful state. I’m praying for you and all of those affected. I’ve never seen that quote before – how beautiful and full of truth. I said an audible “yes” after the last sentence. God IS enough. And every day He has to remind this knucklehead over and over. So thankful for His grace, my Friend, and how your words shine a spotlight on Him.

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  8. Beth, I love this. From day one of this fire, I keep remembering God is good. Even in the worst of circumstances, God is good. I’ve been distracted by this fire, but not scared. Well, not too scared. He’s shown us His hand working since it started burning.

    Today, I’m a little more at peace with the craziness around me. Finding things to thank God for, like the fact I could actually have the windows open for a little while today.

    Thanks for the reminder of the difference between “stressor” and “worry.”

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      So wise to remember to thank God for the little things in the midst of all of this, Jeanne.
      I thank him for just this quick bit of rain that cooled things down a bit near our house. I hope it helped the firefighters.

  9. Hi Beth! So happy your family is clinging to God and He’s keeping you safe. I’ve been praying and will continue to do so.

    As for me, I’m worn out in a very good way. A college student was stranded in our small little town, so my family took a six-hour road trip last night to get her home to her family for the summer. (They’ll come back here to get her car when it’s fixed.) I’m so joyous and incredibly humbled that God chose my family to bless her and her family in this way. Such a blessing on both sides, and we’ve met new friends along the way.

    You know your theme of things not going according to plan? I’m pretty sure this qualifies. 🙂 So, so happy and at peace and blessed. God is SO GOOD!!!

    Blessings,
    Andrea

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