Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and I wonder … how much can you handle?
Every once in a while, 1 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 13 bugs me. It says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” There have been times when I have been prone to think God couldn't expect from me what He does from others because mine is a “different story.” I especially thought that when I was lying on my hospital bed with a broken neck. I would think, "God, how can You be putting me through all this?" It's more than I can bear—even with Your help!
The truth is my story is not different. Neither is yours. My quadriplegia hasn't earned me any Purple Heart medals with God. My bouts with pressure sores or lung problems haven't exempted me from 1 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 13. If the Lord allows crushing hardships to pile on top of all the other baggage that goes with being disabled, I am not permitted to whine. It should never be said of me, “She has good reason to let off steam every now and then … I mean she deserves a little time off from trusting God, don’t you think? After all, she’s really, really got it hard.”
But I learned something early on about that kind of thinking. Whenever I entertain stubborn, stiff-necked thoughts of resentment, I've noticed I don't go forward; I go backward. The problems don’t become easier to handle; they become harder. When I stop trusting God or when I let off steam, my circumstances don’t change, but my ability to handle them certainly does. It’s at times like those I have to remember Hebrews chapter 12, verse 4, which warns complainers, "...you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." Wow, what a good reminder! I'm not a martyr; nobody's drawn and quartered me, laid me on a rack, sawed me asunder, run me through with a sword. I’m not bleeding - so things can't be that bad.
True, 1 Corinthians chapter 13 may bug you when you think you must disobey because the temptation or the trial is too great. But remember, we can never ever be forced to disobey. We don't sin because we have to; we sin because we want to. So I would like you to pray with me today; right now, let’s pray, “Lord God, thank You for the grace to endure the losses You have allowed in our lives. Whatever the trial or temptation, enable us Lord God to look to You to provide the way of escape--and the grace to bear up under the load. In the name of Jesus, Amen.”
Okay friend, now that we’ve prayed, and since we’re near year’s end, I wonder if you might post a few of your prayer requests on our Joni and Friends Facebook wall. We’ve got a great staff who, every morning, they take the needs of those we serve in corporate prayer. And we’d like to include you! Maybe you recently lost your job or there’s been a bad medical report or you’re wondering how you’ll make it through the New Year. Or perhaps you just need prayer for a deeper, more intimate walk with the Lord. Whatever, just go to our Facebook wall or tweet it to us, or you can always put your prayer requests on my radio page at joniandfriends.org. Friend, prayer does not change the purpose of God, but prayer does change the action of God. Satan does not care how many people read about prayer if only he can keep them from praying. So if you’re in the middle of a struggle, let us hear from you before year’s end. Just go to my radio page at joniandfriends.org; and while you’re there, take a minute to watch a Christmas message I videoed for you. God bless you and have a great week.
© Joni and Friends, 2013
Compliments of Joni and Friends
PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376