My life has seemed particularly crazy lately. In the last month, I visited my family in Texas, was in a wedding that same week, led a summer camp for middle schoolers the next week, and then got tonsillitis the following week. After those three weeks, it seemed like I had been through it all! I felt like I barely had any time to rest let alone pray and spend time with the Lord. Yet even in those moments, the Lord continued to be present to me and feed my soul even if I did not realize it.

I am particularly struck by the last line in today’s first reading: I will not let the flames consume you.

Even in the craziest and hardest moments of our lives, when we might feel furthest from the Lord, He remains with us and protects us from whatever may harm us. When the flames of life surround us and threaten to consume us, the Lord is our protection. The Lord continues to call out to us each day in the midst of the busyness of our lives. Even if we do not respond to His call, there is never a day that God does not care for you.

God’s heart is stirred with pity and moved with compassion when He sees His children struggling or stressed, whether because of school or work, family or friends, or the random circumstance of life. Know that wherever you are today and whatever is going on in your life, the Lord sees you, knows you, and cares for you.

Is there anything going on in your life that feels like it's consuming you? Is there anything that is pulling you from your relationship with the Lord?

How do you react to these times of stress and trouble? Do you turn to God, trusting in His compassion and love for you?

How can you use these times of trouble to turn more toward God and trust in His care for you?

"I trust You."

"I need You."

"I love You."

Go find a Crucifix and really look at Christ on the Cross. Take time in prayer and see the greatest act of love in history. Looking at the image of Christ, pray with the last three lines of today's reading, "For I am God and not man, the Holy One present among you;
I will not let the flames consume you.