“No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it. ” (1 Corinthians 10:13, NET Bible)
1 Corinthians 10:13, NET Bible
You’ve either been there, or you are heading there. You might be there right now. “There” is that place where all your troubles are piling on you at once. Life pressure is so intense that you don’t want to get out of bed. Your day is a blur. You fear to hear the phone ring because it might be more bad news. You think that it cannot get any worse – except it can.
Honestly, it may seem that God is distant. Your fervent prayers are seemingly met with cold silence from on high. Like David, you cry, “Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning” (Psalm 5:1). Still, it seems that nothing comes from God. You want to give up.
You are in the moment of God’s greatest attention and care. Don’t surrender! Our Lord is carefully watching your day and ensuring that you are not overwhelmed by the affairs of this life. He, like a mother guarding her young, is standing between you and the world. Inspiration says that God “will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear” (1 Corinthians 10:13). The temptation to surrender is powerful but limited. You will endure this darkness.
Things were so bad for Job that his wife urged him to call it quits (Job 2:9). He clung to God and remembered all the good that had come from him. Do the same. Remember God’s blessings.
Jesus was alone in the depths of Gethsemane when he cried to God for deliverance. He was deserted by his friends as he was beaten and humiliated in the High Priest’s courtyard. He hung naked and bleeding, having been deserted by most. His answer was to cry out to God. Remember to pray as you have never prayed before.
Paul was repeatedly beaten as he preached the Gospel to the lost. He did not stop. He arose and continue preaching. When Agabus told him of his impending arrest in Jerusalem, he would not be stopped from going. The Lord had work for him, and he would not be dissuaded (Acts 20:18-24; 21:10-14). Remember to focus on the Lord and do not take your eyes off of him.
The apostle reasons that trouble will come often in this life, but because of Jesus and his resurrection, we have confidence in something better ( 1 Corinthians 15:19,20). Our struggles today are but a pothole on the road to eternal life (Romans 8:18). Remember the goal that is set before you.
We do not suggest that your struggles are small or insignificant. They are not. We only want to remind you there is a Lord in heaven who sees and cares. He is protecting you even now as you struggle through the demands of the day. He is also preparing a place of eternal rest where you will be set free from all cares. It is essential that you cling to your savior in these troublesome times. You must fight the temptation to raise the white flag of failure. He will bring you through whatever troubles you face. Throw your troubles to him because he cares what happens (1 Peter 5:7).
