
Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or in dread of them, for the Lord your God is the One who is going with you. He will not desert you or abandon you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6 NASB
We could see silver lining in every cloud if we look hard enough. Even in the depths of despair, if we look hard enough—and have a positive attitude—we’re bound to see the “silver lining.”
We see the current Palisades and Eaton fires that have resulted in at least 24 confirmed deaths, with several people still missing, which could potentially increase this number. We see approximately 36,000 people have been left homeless due to the destruction of structures
We see the economic cost of the damage from these wildfires is estimated to be staggering. Initial estimates pegged the total damage, and economic loss is up to $275 billion, considering both direct and indirect impacts like property damage, job and wage losses, and infrastructure damage.
However, amid the devastation of the California wildfires, there have been several inspiring stories of heroism, community support, and kindness.
Stories have emerged of individuals going above and beyond to save others. For instance, nurse Allyn Pierce drove through the Camp Fire to rescue his patients from Adventist Health Feather River, showing her extraordinary bravery. Klaudia Koronel, a former actress turned caregiver, also saved her patient from the fast-approaching blaze in Pasadena, showing the selflessness of caregivers during crises.
We see communities have rallied together in powerful ways. One example is a story where a man placed donation items outside his house on a street corner, which sparked a community-wide relief effort. People began contributing clothes, shoes, water, toiletries, and diapers, turning a simple act of kindness into a large-scale aid operation.
We see numerous accounts of neighbors helping neighbors. In one story, residents used garden hoses, fire extinguishers, and even kitchen pots to combat the fires, protecting homes in their community. This not only helped save properties but also strengthened community bonds in the face of adversity.
We see social media has been abuzz with calls for donations, mutual aid efforts, and free services. From crisis counseling to food distribution and fostering displaced animals.
Even in the midst of tragedy, you can see moments reminding us that God’s goodness can often be seen through human hands and hearts. Even in our darkest hours, God will not desert you or abandon you.
Angga
01/19/2025
Photo by Simone Viani on Unsplash