“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

The Way of Escape

Quite often I forget that there will be days of discouragement and weariness of life. Today I woke up to one of those days. I found myself grumpy and irritated by everything and everybody, including myself. My thought was, “I really don’t want to be here anymore; I just want the Lord to take me home and get me off this planet!” Even though nothing had changed in my personal life, I now wanted to escape it. That’s when 1 Corinthians 10:13 popped into my head. I knew I needed to take the way of escape the Lord has provided.

What a “coincidence” that in my reading of today’s Streams in the Desert devotional, the first sentence was, “If a person allows it, he can find something at every turn of the road that will rob him of his victory and his peace of mind.” I know from past experiences that if I don’t recognize the beginning of this downward spiral, and nip this negative attitude in the bud, I will get bogged down in self-pity which affects my walk and the people around me.

Of course, the enemy of our souls, Satan, wants us out of this world. Psalm 6:5 says, “For in death there is no remembering of You; in the grave who will give You thanks?” To me, this is the Lord telling me that He wants me here for now to be a voice of His praise and thanksgiving. I was convicted of my pettiness, and at the same time grateful for His patience and understanding. Is it too much to ask for me to forsake the emotions of my fickle flesh and “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14)? After all He’s done for me, isn’t He worth any struggle or inconvenience?

So, how was I able to escape this temptation to give up, wallowing in the mire? First, I repented of my self-centered thoughts and attitude and received His forgiveness. In turn I delighted in His mercies that are new every morning. I continue to give Him thanks for the gift of life He has given me and recommit to “run with endurance the race that is set before (me)” (Hebrews 12:1).

“This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your Word has given me life” (Psalm 119:50).

All kinds of temptations are common to man. We can relate to David when he cried out, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted with me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance” (Psalm 42:5).

LORD, thank You for the hope, the help and the way of escape that You so lovingly and faithfully provide each and every one of us. Amen!