When trials come and frustrations build, we often look for a way out from under the pressure. We may overlook the fact that God has a plan even for our emotionally rainy days. Many times, as problems linger long and sorrows grow tense, we forget that God is right beside us. He has not left us to battle our way through our difficulty alone.

Pastor and devotional author George Matheson shared a short devotion on Daniel 3:25 in a 1930 edition of The King’s Business:

“Walking in the midst of the fire” (Dan. 3:25).

The fire did not arrest their motion: they walked in the midst of it. It was one of the streets through which they moved to their destiny. The comfort of Christ’s revelation is not that it teaches emancipation from sorrow, but emancipation through sorrow. O my God, teach me, when the shadows have gathered, that I am only in a tunnel. It is enough for me to know that it will be all right someday. They tell me that I shall stand upon the peaks of Olivet, the heights of resurrection glory. But I want more, O my Father; I want Calvary to lead up to it. I want to know that the shadows of this world are the shades of an avenue—the avenue to the house of my Father. Tell me I am only forced to climb because Thy house is on the hill! I shall receive no hurt from sorrow if I shall walk in the midst of the fire.

Some of the greatest lessons we will learn come from time spent with God in the fires of affliction and rejection. If your world seems to be spiraling down, look up! If the heartache seems too much for you to bear, pray and ask your heavenly Father to hold you close. He will, and this will make a beautiful difference in the way you view the trouble that is besieging your heart.

Prayer: Father, I can see my way through the cloud that has gathered around me. I know You are near because Your Word tells me You will never leave me. Move close to my broken heart, O Lord, and show me how to worship You in this hour of need. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“The cords of death entangled me; . . . I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears” (Psalm 18:4, 6).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon series Discover the Power of One: LISTEN NOW

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!

About The Author

Dr. Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Even before he was born, it is clear that God had a vision for Michael Youssef. His mother was in poor health when she became pregnant with Michael, and because his life was in danger at the time of birth, the doctor recommended terminating the pregnancy. An abortion was scheduled. But God intervened and sent the family pastor to reassure them that God was involved in this pregnancy. He told them not to be afraid and that the child would be "born to serve the Lord." Michael's parents accepted the pastor's message as a message from God and obeyed. His mother gave birth, and lived to see him give his life to the Lord at the age of sixteen.


Believing that God had called him out of Egypt, Michael sought an exit visa in a time in which no university student was allowed to have a passport or leave the country. God intervened again, and miraculously he managed to acquire a visa. He immigrated to Australia, where he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, was ordained as a pastor, and met Elizabeth who became his wife.


The Youssefs came to America in 1977, and in 1978 Michael received a master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Then he earned a doctorate in social anthropology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael served nearly ten years in the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world more than 32 times, teaching courses in evangelism and leadership. He rose to the position of Managing Director at the age of 31 years. The family settled in Atlanta, and in 1984, Michael became a citizen of the United States, making his dream of many years come true.


He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission of "Equipping the Saints and Searching for the Lost". The church has since grown to be a congregation of over 3,000 people today. This church has driven the international ministry of Leading the Way. While it is heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached through radio waves, is the heart of a pastor, willing to nurture and care for these people. Clearly God has uniquely equipped Dr. Youssef to speak to a global audience. The path he has taken has given him an understanding and firm grasp of the Scriptures that transcend cultures. He preaches, teaches and calls with a sincere, based on the authority of the inerrant, inspired Word of God. With his personal knowledge of the Holy Land, its history and culture, Dr. Michael Youssef transmits life to listeners all over the world.



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