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. 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 deals with sin. Somehow, we turned that into the worst thing you can say to someone when they are going through something difficult.

I’ve read the bible front to back. It is jammed full of people in over their heads. They followed anyway. Our life is full of people in over their heads. They are trying to follow anyway. Do you know how many people have lost children? It’s staggering.

People have lost jobs, wrecked cars, or broken up. Some businesses thrive while others struggle. Roofs have blown off. Homes have flooded. A tree went through a house on our block this week.

This year has been a tough one. We have known since September 12, 2018 that we were coming up on the ten-year death anniversary. 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. 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, feel it, long for it. We know it’s there. It lives inside us. We want to transplant perfection here. I wish we could.

If I had the answers. I would not hold them secret. I just think we do not get answers here. Pain and struggle exist. For some people struggle provides all the fuel needed to drive them toward God. For others, it’s all the roadblock they need. The only answer I 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 do you struggle with? How many items of pure joy have you walked past this week? Don’t forget to notice those.

What struggles have people around you been experiencing?

Challenge: Life is a challenge. Look for the doors you see God opening.