Win loss record

“God won’t give you more than you can handle.” Load of crap version.

If you can find those words in the bible, well – you can’t. They are not there. There is a verse that says “But God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted more than you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13. This clearly deals with sin. Somehow, we turned that into the worst thing you can possibly say to someone when they are going through something difficult. I’ve had people say it to me after Jordyn died. While we were going through the sleepless phase with Korbin, we heard it a lot.

I’ve read the bible front to back more than once. It is jammed full of people in over their heads. People were tortured for following Jesus. They followed anyway. Our life is full of people who are in over their heads. They are trying to follow anyway. Do you know how many people have lost children? Some more than one. It’s staggering.

People have lost jobs, wrecked cars, broken up, injuries are common. Some businesses thrive while others struggle. Roofs have blown off. Homes have flooded. Our church had both of those things happen in our last big storm. A tree went through a house on our block. My tomato plants got smashed. I realize it does not compare.

This year has been a tough one on the emotions. We have known since September 12, 2018 that we were coming up on the ten-year death anniversary. I’ve written about milestones before, but this is a tough one. Korbin also started high school this year. This is cause for celebration. It is also cause for all kinds of potential issues to pop into your mind. All can lead to disaster. All can lead to triumph. My wife asked me about one detail two weeks before school. I was not worried. The first morning of school I was freaked out by the same detail. I honestly thought about not sending him. What we have seen this year literally has my wife’s body rejecting stress from the inside out. It’s hard on her. Emotional pain can manifest itself into physical pain.

You’re thinking “Cheer up dude.” You are right. I think one of the reasons things are hard is because, for believers, we have heaven wired into us. We seek it. We feel it. We long for it. We know it’s out there. It lives inside us. We want to transplant that perfection here. I wish we could. One type of struggle will make one person question everything, while it may make someone else more resolved.

If I had all the answers. If I had any of the answers, I would not hold them secret. I just think we do not get answers here. Pain and struggle exist here. For some people struggle provides all the fuel needed to drive them toward God. For others, it’s all the roadblock they need. I urge you to use it as fuel. The only answer I do know is that God’s grace is sufficient - for sin, for pain, even for death. It does not explain things. But it can sooth the restlessness inside our heart that longs for glory. It can help you find peace.

What have you been struggling with this week? How many items of pure joy have you walked past this week? Don’t forget to notice those when you are ready.

While you have struggled, what struggles have people around you been experiencing?

Challenge: Life is a challenge. Aim to look for the doors you see God opening. Consider that you may be God’s plan “A” to bring someone in your life a glimpse of Him. Maybe keep a record of the beautiful events in your life too. We don’t do that for some reason.

Rick Claiborn