For Nothing Is Impossible With God

I have said before that there are two things that I enjoy talking (or writing) about: Jesus Christ and the Fire Department. So why not start a blog involving both? However, I was also thinking to myself, "who in their right mind would want to read anything that I write?" The short answer to that is I'm not sure. The optimistic answer is "One Million" (said in weird Dr. Evil voice). The more realistic answer would be that I am praying as I put my thoughts on "paper" that maybe at least one person will be impacted in some positive way from reading each blog post that I write. There is no doubt our world needs some positive vibes to be tossed around.

In the fire service, we have to see the worst of the worst at times and we are beginning to understand how those things are impacting us in the long run. One of the reasons I thought this blog may be beneficial would be for other firefighters to have something positive to read about our profession even if that is understanding how to deal with the stresses of the job, family, and life itself. I hope you will realize that you are not alone in the "mess" you are feeling at times. We have all been there at one time or another. We have all utilized different methods to get us through difficult times and if sharing stories of pain and heartache can help others, I'm all in for my brothers and sisters.

There is no secret that, for me, I rely heavily on my faith in Jesus Christ. However, it hasn't always been that way. I am in my 26th year in the fire service and and for only a little more than half of that time I would consider myself to have leaned heavily on my faith. In 2005, my father died after a short battle with brain and lung cancer. It was during that time I re-dedicated my life to Jesus Christ and answered my call to pastoral ministry. The ways that I handled the stresses of the job and life differ greatly before and after that time period. However, I want to be fully transparent with you. I am not someone who is "holier than thou" and I will not beat my fist on the bible to get you to believe as I do. I try to live my life as Christ would want me to live but I am reminded daily that I am sinner in need of God's amazing grace. If you know anything about the Bible, God used very flawed individuals at times to show how God's grace, love, mercy, and power, could change an individual's heart and soul. I believe God has and continues to do that with me every single day. As the Bible states in Luke's gospel, "For nothing is impossible with God".

During this first blog post, I want to share with you a story of how I figured out that God could do the impossible. When I was in middle and high school, I was terrified of public speaking. Anytime I had to talk in front of the class, small group, etc. I would become so anxious that it would make me nauseous and send me spiraling into a panic attack. I tried all kinds of remedies but nothing would help. Around 2003, as I had started to attend church more regularly and read the bible I came up with the great idea that if I had to do any public speaking I would place a small Gideon's Bible in my pocket and all my fear and anxiety would disappear. Well, I was wrong! It didn't work and I was right back where I started, having anxiety attacks over the thought of public speaking.

The following year I was taking the VDFP Instructor I class at the Eanes-Pittman Public Safety Training Center in Chesterfield. As many of you know, this course involves the student having to complete a presentation at the end of the week-long class. Yes, I was nervous. Yes, I was nauseous. Yes, I was sweating. But just before I had to give my presentation, something changed. It was like God was telling me that my anxiety wasn't going to be relieved because I had God's word on a small bible in my pocket but my anxiety would be relieved because I had God's Living Word (Jesus Christ) in my heart! Since that point, I have never again been overwhelmed with anxiety to speak in public. My daughters like to tell me that I haven't stopped talking since that day :) I wasn't sure what this newfound anxiety-free gift from God truly meant until a year or so later when I fully embraced my call to pastoral ministry and chaplaincy. It was then I knew, "Nothing is impossible with God". (Luke 1:37)

When the Living Word is in your heart, you can expect to see God do the impossible with your life! Are you ready to see it?

Jason Elmore

Lover of Jesus and the fire service