Our human vocation ("week" 1, step 2), session 2

But now thus says the LORD,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you. - Is 43, 1-2

In the midst of living out my vocation, how often do I doubt this promise that I shall not be overwhelmed, burned or consumed? How often do I instead conclude that all three things are happening to me almost daily? How often do I feel alone, even though God has promised to always be with me?

And how often do I not feel redeemed? Just today I felt slapped afresh by the circumstances of my birth. Has God not become my Father, filling up the shortcomings of my earthly fathers?