Dear Torn,

Life is overwhelming at times, to the point we want to cry out to God, "But you're not supposed to give us more than we can handle!" And so often, clinging onto this notion that God has somehow let us down on His promise, we grow more and more bitter. What does God really say about this?  In the book of 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul writes: "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it". 1 Corinthians 10:13

God tells us in his word that he won't tempt us beyond our ability to overcome, and that along with temptation, he'll always provide an escape. That's a little different than just saying, "God will never give me more than I can 'handle'." This is when temptation comes into play; when we know our own strength is not enough, and we must choose to either draw strength from something else or to give up the battle entirely. The enemy is always attacking us. He is the king of lies, and sometimes it's tempting to buy into those lies when we can't quite understand the truth.

How could this possibly be a temptation? Well, our minds don't deal well with 'complicated.' Let's say we believe in a God that loves us fiercely and unconditionally, we place our faith in a God that sacrificed everything to be our savior, all while suffering intensely and experiencing a pain that this same God somehow allows. This is more than our minds can conceive, and so the enemy begins to tempt us with lies that simplify it all: I must be slipping farther from God. God has given up on me. I must be worthless. Does God even exist? Is God truly good? etc.

As I wrote earlier, temptation comes into play when we know our own strength is not enough, and we must choose to either draw strength from something else or to give up the battle entirely. The temptation to doubt and make amendments to what we know as truth is undeniable, and this is giving up the battle. Perhaps adopting lies as truth isn't exactly accepting defeat, but it is waving a white flag when we should still be fighting for victory.

And there's the other side of temptation; the temptation to draw strength from other things. Sometimes we are tempted by things during trials that are obviously unhealthy and unpleasing to God: drugs, alcohol, self-destructive behavior, pornography, affairs, abusive behavior, etc. On the flip side, we might turn to our families, our children, our careers, hobbies, etc. These seem like very positive, healthy coping mechanisms, and God did bless us all with these things for a reason, but our sole source of strength is Him and Him alone.

We feel torn when we've fallen into temptation; when we've bought into lies and drawn strength from something other than God. Where are you in life? What struggles do you face and what lies are you being tempted to own as truth? Is God your one and only strength? Ask yourselves these questions, and begin piecing yourself back together knowing that you really might be facing more than you can take alone. Remind yourself over and over again what you know to be true: God never abandons us, His grace is sufficient, living to glorify and honor him is top priority. Look into your situation to find how you can use it to make God's name famous. He is your strength.

In doing these things, your life will become a living testimony of God's power. Life won't become perfect and your pain won't just go away, but it will become purposeful. The pieces will fall into place.

*I'm praying for you, and I asking everyone who might read this to pray as well. God bless you!