Forest Fires Are Actually Good?

Several years ago, my wife Allie and I took a trip to San Francisco. One of the things I had always wanted to see was the giant redwoods, so we crossed the Golden Gate and explored Muir Woods.

Since elementary school, I had heard about the majesty of these trees. Some redwoods can reach over 300 feet into the air, with trunks so massive it takes multiple people holding hands to reach around them.

While at Muir Woods, I learned something fascinating about redwoods and forest fires. Their thick bark helps protect them from fire, which means they can not only survive many fires but actually benefit from them. Fire clears competing vegetation, returns nutrients to the soil, and can create conditions that encourage new growth.

For generations, Indigenous people intentionally used controlled burns to care for the land. Later, aggressive fire suppression became common. The irony is that trying to protect forests from every fire can actually harm the growth of the redwoods.

Turns out that protecting something from every hardship can actually harm it.
This week we're going to see something similar in Paul's love for the Thessalonian church. They were experiencing serious persecution, and Paul cared deeply about their suffering. But his primary concern wasn't simply getting them out of it. He sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage their faith so they could stand firm through it.

The fires in our lives are absolutely no fun. But sometimes the loving thing isn't immediately putting out the fire. Sometimes it's standing beside someone and helping them become stronger through it.

If you're going through a fire right now, or trying to help someone who is, join us tomorrow as we talk about how to know when love should put the fire out and when love needs to let it burn.