Going it alone?

No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it. (I Corinthians 10:13 MSG)

People frequently misquote this verse to mean God will not allow anything to come our way that is bad or too difficult for us to get through. Look again - it deals with testing times and temptations we might not have known would come our way. It doesn't say we will never face them and be challenged by them. It tells us we won't be pushed 'past our limits' because he will help us come through those times. Not escape them - go through them with his help to get us through them.

It doesn't say we will never lose a job, but we can count on God to help us find a new one, help us figure out how to make ends meet until we do, and send us the necessary help that will be needed as we go through those difficult times. It doesn't say we will never hear that big 'C' diagnosis or that a loved one is terminal. God will never let us down - he will be there even when the stuff we face seems like it is way too hard to handle, beyond our ability to endure or fix.

No test - hardships, tough financial times, difficult family issues, rebellious children who want their own way. No temptation - lust, the prideful attitude that feels superior to others, alluring and addicting substances that help us escape the pressures of life. Nothing is bigger than our God - nothing is going to limit his standing with us as we face these things. We might not 'feel' like he is present all of the time, but he never stops caring for us especially when the tough stuff comes our way.

Why do we face tests and temptations? We live in a fallen world, full of sin and 'issues' that we don't always create on our own. We deal with issues created by others as well as those we create ourselves. Sin has just done a number on us, and because sin has been at work in society and in us, we face stuff that we don't exactly like. We don't 'like it', but we live in a sinful world, complete with all its messed-up stuff. We don't live here without God's power and grace, though.

In both his power and his grace, we can face anything. Yes, ANYTHING. We need his grace because sometimes we sin. We need his power because we cannot 'power through' sin's pull with our own effort. We face what is common to mankind - sin's pull (temptation) and issues that are going to try us on every front (tests). We are promised to not face them apart from his power and grace going with us through them - to resist temptation and pass every test. So, don't attempt to go it alone any longer, my friends. It isn't going to end well if you do. Just sayin!