Iced Tea and the Arizona Heat

I could not wait to board the plane to Phoenix! I was heading to a business meeting and I was eagerly looking forward to some time working outside of my home office with other professionals in my field for a week. In mid-July, I arrived at the Atlanta airport bright and early, found my gate, and had a chance celebrity encounter sitting next to one of my favorite television actors while we waited at the gate. Finally, we boarded the westbound plane.

Upon touchdown, everyone on the plane could tell a difference in temperature. We had left a very warm Atlanta morning; however, upon arrival we were greeted by a sweltering Phoenix afternoon! Passengers were removing sweatshirts and cardigans to make themselves comfortable as they traversed the airport to reach baggage claim. By the time our bags arrived, most people were holding overpriced bottles of water or cold sodas trying to hydrate themselves–and we had not even stepped outside.

As I walked to meet my ride, I could feel the squish of the soles of my sandals as they melted just a little with every footstep on the asphalt. It was hot! I was desperately craving a cup of iced tea to quench my thirst! Still excited for my business meeting, I actually started to fear that I might not survive the dry, record-breaking, triple-digit Arizona heatwave as my body struggled to acclimate to the 120 degree weather in the desert.

Jeremiah reminded the people what it looked like to trust in the Lord beginning in Jeremiah 17: 7, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.” He goes on to describe a tree planted by the water, the stream providing all the refreshing nourishment its roots needed. (In that hot Phoenix airport, I would have liked to dip my toes into a cool refreshing stream, too!) The tree had no reason to fear when the heat arose, it could maintain its green foliage without worry. All its needs were provided for by the one who created it.

What thing in your life represents the heat that you feel right now? What is it that is so heavy in your chest that it nearly takes your breath when you think about it? Maybe it is such a heavy burden that you have not spoken about it aloud yet or have not asked for prayer from trusted friends.

​Even though you might feel like the heat of the moment may nearly crush you, rest assured that God is actively working in your life providing everything you need to flourish. God’s presence is enough to sustain you in the most heated moments of life. You can trust that even if the circumstance gets worse, you will still be able to grow and thrive through this difficult season.

Be honest with yourself for a few minutes. Seize whatever courage you can muster in this moment and talk to God about the weight that you feel blazing in your soul right now. Ask him for his presence and comfort. Then look around you for the cool stream where you can dip your toes. The stream's presence doesn’t mean the heat dissipates, but it does mean that God is providing a way for you to flourish fearlessly as you co-exist with the heat in your life. When we are rooted firmly like the tree depicted in Jeremiah 17:8, we can trust that God’s provisions are evidence of his goodness during our trying circumstances.

Oh, and when I finally got that iced tea, it was so refreshing!

““This is what the LORD says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
​Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NIV)

About the Author

Hello! I am Dana Schaefer, a wife, mom, and higher education professional. I love seeing people discover their destiny and believe that Bible study and prayer are crucial parts of that process. I make my home in northwest Georgia. During my downtime, I enjoy a mountain sunrise, peach iced tea, and a good book.