Through the Waters, Through the Fire!
Trusting God in the Transition
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.
When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.”
— Isaiah 43:1-2
The Inevitability of Transition
Transitions in life are unavoidable. Some are expected—new jobs, new seasons, changes in relationships. Others hit unexpectedly—loss, hardship, or the silent struggles no one sees.
Isaiah 43:1-3 reminds us that these transitions aren’t optional. The passage doesn’t say if you pass through the waters, rivers, or fire, but when.
This means trials aren’t signs that God has abandoned us. Instead, they are places where He reveals Himself. Knowing this changes how we walk through them.
Knowing Who God Is Changes Everything
The key to facing trials isn’t just endurance—it’s knowing who walks with you. The passage begins with:
“I have redeemed you, I have called you by name; you are Mine.”
Identity is everything in transition. Before God even speaks about the trials, He reminds Israel (and us) that:
He created us. We are not random.
He redeemed us. Our past doesn’t define us.
He calls us by name. We are personally known.
We are His. We are not alone in this.
When we know who God is—our Redeemer, our Creator, our Savior—fear loses its grip. We don’t have to understand the storm to walk through it; we just need to know the One leading us.
Different Trials, Different Promises
This passage mentions three different types of trials:
The Waters – The things that slow us down, make movement difficult, and cause fatigue—procrastination, risk, fear of failure, lack of support, big vision. These aren’t always outright obstacles, but they can sap our strength and make forward motion feel exhausting.
The Rivers – The overwhelming moments that make us feel like we’re drowning—financial strain, sudden loss, unexpected responsibilities, rejection, spiritual dryness. These hit fast and hard, making us wonder if we can keep going.
The Fire – The refining heat that tests and purifies—criticism, betrayal, unanswered prayers, spiritual warfare, leadership pressure. These trials don’t just challenge us; they change us. They burn away pride, false security, and anything that isn’t meant to last.
But here’s the good news: each one comes with a promise.
“I will be with you.”
“They will not overwhelm you.”
“You will not be burned.”
These are not empty words. They are guarantees from God, who has never failed His people.
Remembering What He’s Done Fuels Expectation
One of the most powerful ways to strengthen faith in transition is to remember what God has already done. The passage continues:
“For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I have given Egypt as your ransom,
Cush and Seba in exchange for you.”
God reminds Israel of past deliverance. He had already saved them, already paid a price for them. This wasn’t theory—it was history. And that history was meant to fuel their trust in the present.
I do something similar in my own life: I write down what God has done in a folder called Hearing the Voice of God. When I experience His provision, His healing, His voice, or His guidance, I date it and write it down.
Why?
Because in the middle of the next storm—or even on the next mountaintop—I need those reminders. I need to see proof that God has never failed me so I can confidently expect Him to move again. And on the mountaintops, humility takes the lead because I know who got me there.
Psalm 103:2 says:
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”
Forgetting is easy in trials. That’s why remembering is a discipline.
What Does Today Say About God?
He makes it clear that He is with us—not just through the ups and downs, but in every moment. He is not distant. He is not passive. He is actively involved in our lives in ways words cannot fully capture.
"Have you ever had a moment where you just know—deep in your soul—that’s the person you should marry, that’s the right place to move, that’s the right decision, etc.?"
I knew that with my wife. When I first saw her, something inside me just said, "She’s the one."
Now, to be clear—this a moment out of nowhere. When I met her, I had just come out of a year of no dating, fully pursuing God 1000%. That season wasn’t about earning anything; it was about seeking Him first. But in that pursuit, He led me to her. That was my journey, and it shaped everything that followed. This is not a formula by the way. If you are looking for the one I challenge you to pursue and date Him first. Then the Holy Spirit will give you peace about who and when to date.
For God, multiply that kind of certainty by an unthinkable number, and that’s the glimpse He gives us of eternity.
And that is the only thing that can rip through pride.
What a God.
What a Creator.
Thank you, Jesus.
🔥 Want to grow stronger in faith and endurance?
Join Never Finished Coaching for exclusive spiritual and mental coaching.