Monday, February 18, 2008

Tough on-the-job learning

Several people spoke to me yesterday about experiences, when they felt they could no longer carry on. One person described their situation over many months: "I said to myself, ' I can't take another step forward...I've reached the end', only to find that I was still (somehow) going forward in God's strength. So many times I nearly gave up. But as I look back over that terrible time I can see how that God really did deliver his promise." 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 (1 Cor. 10:13).

I also met people going through rough times right now. God's promises meet us in deep places, where we keep learning about how much more we can bear by his strength, and how much more perseverance, maturing and refinining of character may yet happen (James 1:2-4; 1 Pet. 1: 1-7)! Its the toughest on-the-job learning we ever have to do.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I feel like the little child that says in the car, "Are we there yet?"; I'd much prefer God to just speak and have me (and all of us) perfected. It seems just too hard at times. In light of that feeling, this verse is a comfort.