You can handle this, or can you?

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

When I lost my son (who was two and half) I truly didn’t think I would survive. I was angry and bitter for a time, and I really wondered what I was going to do from that moment on. Life seemed to be really unfair and I doubted that I could go on. And let me be clear that in no way do I think this was a test by God. God does not kill a child to test someone. And looking back, Kenneth was a gateway for me to Christianity. And God was the only way I survived, he propped me back up on my feet, he took me in his arms and rocked with me until I could stand on my own two feet.

I have heard many times that God will never test you more than you can handle and for the first time I looked it up. Years later the incident with my baby boy I thought I was tested to the end, or at least in my mind I think it was just short of the breaking point and I do wonder if I could go through that again, or maybe even something worse. I hope to never know.

But here is where I think the key lies, not so much on the faith of 1 Corinthians that says you won’t be tempted more than you can handle, but more on if whatever happens to you that you will lean and trust in the lord. This sort of thinking is a shift from enduring what is thrown at you to being ready for anything. As it says in Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. You have to have hope in the Lord and renew your strength. Or what the bible says in Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. You can do all things, including surviving tragedy.

So what I have found during trying times like this, is to shift your attitude from poor me to help me. And not asking the question, “Lord why have you done this to me?” but more asking the question, “Now that this has happened Lord, what should I do? And Lord please help me and give me direction through this.”

Lord, I pray that all those suffering would knock on your door and seek your face. Lord I pray that I do not become bitter when I encounter trying times that I shine your light and not my anger. Thank you Lord for all you help us through. In Jesus name, Amen.