Sometimes life throws us situations that make us feel like we are being burned alive from the inside out. A situation happens and it seems that our life has just been set ablaze, never to return to the way it was. But maybe that is just my point. If we truly are walking through the fire, then maybe we should be changed on the other side.

When a wildfire rages through the area, as we have all seen and experienced, it can be scary in the beginning. A fire raging out of control, uncontained, threatening our homes, property and livelihood. People we know and love putting their own lives on the line to protect our area. Fear of what may be lost or destroyed wells in each of us. Also fear for those on the front lines trying to divert, put out and extinguish the flame front. But as time goes by — and, yes, there may be some casualties and we mourn those losses — the original fire front has lessened. It is being contained, yet hot spots still remind us that the heat is still there, and if not managed properly, will rekindle.

Over time, the smoke disappears, and we are left with black, charred land and ashes covering the once-pristine land around us. But something amazing happens. The black soon turns to green and the land flourishes again. Almost better than it was before.

The same can happen in our lives. Life gives us a wildfire in our internal and natural selves. It can come in the tragic death of a loved one, a financial crisis, an illness or a life-altering event that leaves us on our knees in ruins. It seems that life will end at any second. But those of us who have walked through these types of things can tell you that when you’re in the middle of this thing it almost always appears that there is no way out, but many have come out and say that this event strengthened them, made them wiser or made them more prepared for the next event. Yes, there are scars or memories, but we are better for going through the fire.

In the church, they may call this a “refiner’s fire,” or “burning away the chaff.” God sets ablaze something in our life so that we may become better, purer on the other side. The stuff we don’t need to carry with us is burned away. We get insight to our own being. So we may be better prepared for the “what’s next.” To bring us to the next level, to activate our gifts for his glory, for testimony that others will relate to. We are made to walk through the fire to purify us for what we are called to do. To clarify that wisdom given from above.

Yes, there still may be casualties, scars and burns. But only if we stay in the fire. The whole purpose for walking in the fire is that we come out of it. Not only do we come out, but we are better, more refined, walking in the wisdom that no matter where we walk, we are not walking alone, ever. Even in the fire, our Savior walks with us. Never leaving our side. First, we must acknowledge that he is there and we are not alone; then we must believe that he will get out with his help, and then know we are better after stepping off the hot coals of life.

Life will put raging fires in front of us. Instead of fear, we must look at these as an opportunity to be refined in the fire. To be a fire walker. We put the fear aside, see the one walking with us and walk on through to the other side. Storms don’t last forever. Neither do fires. We are never alone, and we do come out better if we let the baggage we unnecessarily carry burn up and only walk out with what is refined. Be a fire walker and live; there is something greater on the other side.