I was born and raised in Arizona. So, I generally don’t mind the heat. As a kid, we’d play outdoors in the middle of the summer. If we got thirsty, we’d go to the garden hose and take a drink. There was no such thing as bottled water. Now, the water that first came out was about 150 degrees, so we’d wait until it cooled. Hot temperatures can be dangerous, so you have to be careful. I learned that early in life. I just wanted you to know, I can handle the heat.
But, you know there are other forms of “heat” that don’t have to do with thermodynamics or temperature. It’s the internal “heat” that has to do with pressure or difficulty or even a “heaviness of heart.” Sometimes that is just as hard and just as dangerous. How we react when the “heat” is on in our lives.
How did Jesus handle the “heat?” Check out Luke 22:41-44: “He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
Jesus’ answer to the heat was prayer. It wasn’t a good book. It wasn’t a self-image adjustment. It was an earnest conversation with His Father. I can’t think a better way to handle “the heat.” Can you? Just think of prayer during difficult times as a drink of cool, refreshing water that satisfies and quenches your thirst. Someone much smarter than me said it this way. Much prayer=much power. Little prayer=little power. No prayer=no power. Enough said.