Recently, a friend handed me a book called On Fire, and in my head I heard Lil’ Jon say “Okay!”  Thank you, but I am going through a divorce.  I am treading water.  I am not trying to be on fire, man.  I just want to survive.

My friend knew this book would be good for me.  Fast forward to a week later when I had to “check my phone” in order to regain composure and not openly weep at the kindness and strength exemplified in On Fire.  The author describes his experience of being burnt on 100% of his skin as a child and then making a painful and miraculous recovery.  He tells of people who spoke hope and love and encouragement into his heart.  He writes about physical therapy being so painful, and yet continuing to do it.

Nowhere in the book will you find instructions to just grin and bear your life because it’s nothing like the pain this boy endured.  Instead, you are so floored by the kindness of strangers and the perseverance  and stamina (the tenacity) of this boy that you can’t help but think, if God helped this boy survive, He can help me through as well.  Thank you, Lord, for the people who encourage me.  And God, I want to love like the people described in this book.  I want to speak hope and love into the lives of people in my life.

This book is incompatible with feeling sorry for yourself.  You can’t un-see the pictures of the little John burned.  They will stay with you forever.  If this boy can make it through recovery, we can at least give it our best shot.

Transitions suck, but God can help us every step of the way through the tunnel to the light.  We just have to try.