by mattheaglass
I started this blog several years ago. I haven’t used it in four years. I allowed the words from some trusted people, to discourage me. It caused an identity crisis in my life. This all happened right after my first devotional was published. I felt beat down and abandoned. After a time of prayer and reflection, I went to the Lord and asked him what he wanted me to do. I pursued a Master’s in Pastoral Counseling. The Lord had not changed my desire to be used to preach good news to the poor, proclaim freedom to those in bondage, give sight to the blind, or release the oppressed (Luke 4:18-19). My Master’s in Pastoral Counseling is not enough for me to be licensed as a counselor in Alabama, so in January 2024, I started on the path to licensure. I don’t know if I will ever finish.
My hands have been freed to blog again. Our future is uncertain. But, I know that our Father, who called us, equipped us, and trained us for ministry, will lead us through this time of uncertainty. I want to share what our Father has been showing me.
He calls us by name.
The testimony of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego encouraged me several times during uncertainty in my life. The first was when I was nearing the end of my pregnancy with my third child, Caleb Michael. Don’t judge me, but I wanted an out-of-hospital experience with Caleb. After my first two labor and deliveries, I didn’t want the hospital’s routine. I found a midwife who had a birthing clinic. Everything was going as planned until my blood pressure went up a little. The midwife is careful to move women to the hospital at any sign of trouble as I sat there and sobbed because the vision of my birthing plans withered. I was comforted by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I didn’t plan a hospital birth. I’m sure they did not plan to stand up to a powerful king and say,
“O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O King. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O King, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:17).
Now, I know that a hospital birth and a fiery furnace are not equal, but their testimony reminded me that faith says, “Our God can save us, and even if he doesn’t, He is still God.” We went to the hospital, and I labored for about eight hours. The whole time, I could feel that something was very wrong. I wasn’t progressing right. The pain of the contractions wasn’t right. I kept telling everyone something was wrong, but laboring women are not often listened to while in the pain of labor. [The doctor who was supposed to deliver Christian ignored me when I said he would come within the hour. She went to dinner, and the nurse delivered him. She came running in as he was entering the world. I admit Jon and I laughed at her.] Back to Caleb, I was right at the point of pushing when all kinds of alarm bells went off, and the room filled with doctors. Caleb’s heart rate fell so low that they rushed me to surgery. The room emptied as quickly as it filled up, leaving Jon alone, not knowing if he would have a son or a wife at the end.
I was lying on the surgical table, being strapped down, having a contraction, and the surgeon said, “Cutting in five minutes.” He then proceeded to count down. I was still awake! I heard, “Cutting in one minute.” That’s the last I heard. I still have PTSD from that c-section.
When I woke up, my midwife was at my side with the most compassionate expression, thinking that I would be upset. The first thing out of my mouth was, “Have you ever heard of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?” She wasn’t a Christian, so of course she hadn’t. I clearly explained the gospel and why I was encouraged. My response so blew her away that she asked me to write it down so she could share it with others!
My dear friend, how can we be discouraged when we face situations that feel like a fiery furnace? In the furnace, we walk with Jesus. He is never closer.
During this present situation, I realized their names aren’t Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! Their names are Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah! These are the names that their godly parents gave to them. This world tries to give us a different name. We are often known for our worst sins, but not to God. He knows our names. He calls us by name. God is a good Father. He doesn’t leave us alone in the middle of mess or fire. He’s the fourth man walking with us. The Father is faithful in burning off the ties that bind our faith. Romans 8:28 is no platitude. It’s a powerful truth, even if it hurts sometimes. Because sometimes people hurt us and mistreat us, and we can’t see how God can use this for our good. Sometimes, it can be painful to be conformed to the likeness of His Son. He never said it would be easy. I still can’t see how God can use this for good, but by faith, I know that God can use all things for the good of those who love him.
“And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called; he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30
Flourishing Faith 
enjoyed reading your blog today. God is using you a great way.
Sometimes we think what shakes us breaks. The longer I live I find sometimes God uses the things that shake us to shape us. Remember, it’s a process, and God is using his hands to shape us, into what he created us to be for the greater purpose.
Blessings to you and your Family.
Jeanie Killian
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