No, Not Another Test!
“No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
People either love or hate this oft-quoted passage of Scripture. My grandmother used to say, “I wish God hadn’t made me so strong!” This comes from a woman who scored 65 points in a college basketball game.
I have witnessed so many people who have used this passage as comfort throughout my life. While some people hate it because they feel it is God saying, “suck it up and endure it, you big whiner.” I take it a different way. The passage reminds me that God has not left me to endure this situation alone. It also reaffirms in me that I am not some flimsy whiner but a strong person of faith with the physical, emotional, and spiritual tools to address a situation.
God never promised us a rose garden (Lynn Anderson song.) No, our world is wrought with danger, pain, and misfortune. At times, it is our task to wander this earth, like the ancient Israelites wandered the desert for 40 years. The Israelites faced their struggles and fears with little more than God’s divine help. Likewise, amid our struggles and fears, we are called to trust that God will not leave us. We may not always get the answers we desire or in the time expected, but God will not leave us without divine resources and loving support.
Today, think about a time in your past when you felt like you were in “the valley of the shadow of death” or “the deepest darkness,” to use Psalm 23 imagery. How were you “tested?” Who did God bring into your life for support and care? What resources came to bear on your recovery? As you remember moments when God fulfilled 1 Corinthians 10:13 in the past, you will have the courage to face future “tests” with courage and trust. If you are being “tested,” my prayers are with you. Even more importantly, God is with you. Pray for the courage to endure and even thrive amidst your challenges. Bless you!