"For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer." — Psalm 32:4 

Last night, the central air conditioning unit went on an unannounced strike. It did not necessarily breathe its last gasp, but it certainly took a temporary vow of silence.

In just an hour, the house changed from a peaceful sanctuary into a lively gateway to the ancient Near East. The air became heavy, the sheets felt warmer and more challenging, and staying still felt like an Olympic event. As the temperature inside rose above 85 degrees, the biblical image of "the fiery furnace" no longer just a Sunday-school story, but a real,, intense experience right in the living room.

In the dark, spiritual warfare commenced over the direction of the single, oscillating plastic fan.

It’s quite simple to confess your sins when everything feels calm and comfortable at a cozy 70 degrees. However, real character shows itself when you're stuck in bed at 3:00 AM, flipping the pillow for the forty-seventh time in search of that elusive "cool side." During those hot, restless hours, your thoughts drift to Israel's grumbling in the wilderness. Suddenly, you fully understand why they complained about the water shortage—and you can't help but wonder if they would have given anything for just a single window air conditioner.

Experiencing life without modern luxuries—even just for one challenging, sticky night—gives us a quick but valuable lesson in humility. It helps us remember how delicate our comfort really is and how easily our patience can wear thin when our surroundings no longer meet our preferences.

The heat not only saps our energy, but also gently peels away our polite layers, showing us just how much grace we still have to learn and nurture.

Right now, I’m waiting hopefully for the HVAC technician to arrive. As I sit on my front porch, watching for that friendly service van, I find comfort in knowing that this difficult season won't last forever. Please pray that the diagnosis isn’t too costly (since I’m now in New Jersey), that the Freon flows freely again, and that there will be a joyful celebration when everything is fixed. Until the thermostat beeps again, I’ll try to stay patient, drink lots of water, and thank God for His wonderful mercy—always refreshing, even in the most trying times.

Lord,

You know the exact temperature of this house, and You understand my patience level too. Thank you for supporting me through this long, sticky night. As the HVAC technician arrives, I kindly ask for Your guidance. Please grant them wisdom to quickly find the problem. I hope the repair will be simple, the parts readily available, and the cost manageable—so I don't have to consider drastic measures! Please fill me with peace and a positive attitude, whatever the diagnosis may be.

Most of all, I want to thank You for Your grace that helps me stay calm when things in the world get heated. Please send your refreshing breeze swiftly, and help my heart stay grateful for the wonderful blessings of today, which I might often overlook. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Yours in Sweat and Supplication,

Gene

Because Life Begins at Calvary (Roman 6:23)

P.S. I’m not the only one going through this; one of my elders had the same issue last evening.