A path through water and fire – a journey of trust

As part of her veterinary studies, Nina traveled to Asia for a research project – at the same time, she wanted to find out whether God was calling her to this region in the long term.

I had planned a domestic trip during my assignment: By bus from one city to another somewhere in Asia, and back by plane. But on the day of my departure, I was shocked by the news. A landslide – typical of the rainy season – had swept two coaches into a raging river. Fifty people were missing.

I had barely settled in Asia when I received the next horror story: an airplane had crashed on the way to the very city where I was supposed to take samples. It was completely burnt out. Only the pilot survived. Everyone else was killed.

I still had two weeks before I had to go there. I struggled with the decision: should I go at all? I talked to the Lord about it, seeking his guidance. And then one morning, as I was waiting on the road for the doctor, God spoke to me directly – through Isaiah 43:2:

“When you walk through water, I will be with you, and when you walk through streams, they will not drown you. When you enter the fire, you will not burn, and the flame will not scorch you.”

These words hit me like a ray of light in the dark night. I accepted them – not just as comfort, but as a mission. Perhaps God wanted to use me in the midst of this uncertainty. I asked him to prepare me to be there for others. Because my future is secure – I know where I’m going. But many people around me don’t know that.

The bus ride, about nine hours long, was calm. There was no sign of the landslides, the sun accompanied us, the rain remained in the distance – as if it was deliberately avoiding us. A man my age sat next to me. We struck up a conversation. When he asked me if I was afraid, I was able to tell him about my God – how faithful and powerful he is.

It rained heavily on the return flight. The small propeller plane was six hours late. The tension on board was palpable. I whispered a prayer – for myself, but above all for the people around me. I knew that God was holding this plane in his hands.

During the turbulence, the man next to me clung to the seat in front of him, his head lowered. Then he looked at me – and slowly let go. I sat there, filled with a peace that I couldn’t explain. No fear. No worry. Just trust.

In the midst of uncertainty and danger, I was able to experience that God’s presence is real – and that trust in him not only sustains, but also gives peace that defies all circumstances.

A story from WEC-International