In Daniel 3, the heathen king, Nebuchadnezzar, threw the three Hebrew children into a fiery furnace. If you are familiar with the Bible, you know the story- God was with them in the fire and they weren't hurt. They came out having a testimony that they served the Living God.
Many times we want to find a way to avoid the fire. No one likes to go through the fire, but there are good things that can come from going through the fire.
First, the Hebrew children's shackles were burned off. They were bound before they went in, but God used the fire to free them from their bonds. We may not like the fire, but it may be the only way to remove what has us bound in our Spiritual lives.
The fire can also reveal the Son in our lives. The Hebrew children weren't sure that God was going to save them. They said they wouldn't bow either way. But once in the fire, they could see that God was with them. And, so could all those around them! God was revealed in a personal way to them and all those who watched them go through the fire.
It can release the sinner. Their time in the fire was the reason that Nebuchadnezzar passed the law that no one could speak against the Living God. They had to go through the fire for all nations to get the word of this powerful, saving God.
Fire can destroy, yes. But, it can also warm us, give light, reveal, and more. Just because you're going through a fire doesn't mean you're going to be destroyed. Just because you're going through the fire doesn't mean it's because of something you did wrong. Some times, God uses the fire to bring about some amazing things in our lives and the lives of those watching us.
