Day 1: Take Inventory

Read:

It's difficult to describe the emotions Los Angeles residents have experienced in recent days as insatiable wildfires swept across their land—shock, heartache, grief, anger, disbelief, anxiety, and terror. Facing such a grave disaster, just days into 2025 with high hopes for a “happy new year,” it is easy to be overcome by a sense of helplessness and despair.

Los Angeles is a beautiful explosion of cultures—faces, foods, languages, and art—from all around the world. Its geography is some of God's finest handiwork—a rolling landscape that descends into the sea, somehow embraced by desert, forest, and snow-capped mountains, each a world of its own. One of the first things Scripture teaches us about the nature of God is that He is a Creator, and the City of Angels is full of creative people who are made in His image and whose work touches people around the globe.

Nonetheless, the flames that engulfed the western coast indiscriminately leveled entire communities, causing unprecedented destruction, death, and displacement. The shock and devastation have been felt internationally. Onlookers, huddled in disbelief around their screens, have been gripped by images of beloved, once-bustling neighborhoods now lying in smoky ruin.

In John 16:33, Jesus offered His followers a forewarning that affirms the reality of the unimaginable hardships that can be experienced on this side of heaven. “In this world, you will have trouble,” He said. But what seemed an ominous word of caution was immediately coupled with an incredible, eternal promise that provides encouragement for the souls of all believers, both then and now: “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Friend, Jesus has overcome. And while this life can be riddled with troubles, you can navigate even the most difficult circumstances with peace, hope, and joy that can only be described as supernatural. The Word of God is your roadmap, an abundance of timeless wisdom. This devotional is for you if you are surveying this heart-wrenching calamity and asking, "What am I to do?” It will lead you through a short but meaningful study of Matthew chapter 6—a single Bible chapter that is full to the brim of vital, life-giving instruction straight from Jesus Himself. As you'll discover, He equipped us with the very tools we need to face this crisis and any crisis. You’ll gain important strategies for responding—both inwardly and outwardly—with intention and purpose as you walk in the overcoming power of Jesus.

Reflect:

• What emotions have you felt as a result of the Southern California fires?
• Have you or someone you know been directly affected by the fires? If yes, how so?
• Read Ephesians 2:10 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-31. Do you believe that God desires to use you to respond to the crisis in a unique and relevant way? Why or why not?

Respond:

• The following sections will help you to develop a crisis response plan that is both helpful to you and supportive of others who have been impacted by this tragedy. In the meantime, if you have considered taking action in the relief efforts or have done so already, write down your thoughts or experiences.