The boundary of the ocean drew closer and closer, but baby seagull instinctively knows it: It can only go so far.

There is hardly a place on Earth where I feel God’s presence more than at the beach. It may be because I grew up at a beach town in southern Brazil, where surfing, building sandcastles, and walking along the shoreline were part of my weekly, sometimes daily routine. Or maybe it is because the beach is one of the very few places where I can truly unwind. Regardless, the moment I see the ocean and smell its unique scent, my muscles start relaxing, and all noises die down. There, where the line on the horizon marks the limit between heaven and earth, I feel the presence of God like nowhere else.

My husband and I were strolling down the beach during our family vacation earlier this week, enjoying a long conversation during our morning walk. We talked about plans for our future and marveled together as we recalled God’s faithfulness to us in the 20 years we’ve been married. We talked about the many trials we’ve faced and how hard it can be to see God’s hand amid life’s storms.

“He gave the sea its boundaries so the waters would not overstep his command (…)”

As we watched the waves crashing by our feet, Solomon’s words in the eighth chapter of the book of Proverbs came to mind. In this beautiful text of Scriptures, the wise king is inspired by God to bring wisdom to life. In beautiful, poetic verses, the chapter gives us a glimpse of the depth of God’s knowledge and wisdom when making the heavens and the earth … and while directing our lives.

I’ve heard it said that “God will not give you more than you can handle.” This sentence is repeated by well-meaning people, in an attempt to ease the distress felt by those going through life’s trials. As much as I appreciate the sentiment, I could not disagree more with the principle. This “motto” is actually a distorted interpretation of the apostle Paul’s words in his first letter to the Corinthian church:

“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)

The word temptation in the context refers not only to tempting thoughts or actions but also to tests and trials we face. Paul’s encouragement to the Corinthian believers was not to let them know that God would stop pain before their breaking point, but rather, that He is faithful to give us the strength and grace to face the hard trials in life, if only we lean on Him instead of our own strength and understanding.

In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul was not telling believers that God would stop pain before their breaking point, but rather, that He is faithful to give us the strength and grace to face the hard trials in life.
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Indeed, this principle has been tested and proven in my life, as many trials I’ve faced had the potential to drive me to a breaking point; since no resources, wisdom, nor help could be found in the circumstances.

There was that time when, with a 3-month-old baby, my husband lost his job, and we depleted our savings account to be able to keep our household functioning. We were driven to the point of utter dependence on God for provision, as doors kept closing for many months. It was during those stressful, however priceless months, that we saw God’s hand of provision in ways that can only be explained as supernatural.

Or like the time when health issues piled up, weakening my flesh and spirit, tempting me to give up on the ministry God has called me to do. And yet, His love, mercy and grace gave me the strength to take one more step forward.

Indeed, as real as the fact that hard circumstances often drive us to the end of ourselves, is the truth that God meets us there to teach, mold, and strengthen us. There’s a purpose for each trial.

As real as the fact that hard circumstances often drive us to the end of ourselves, is the truth that God meets us there to teach, mold, and strengthen us. There's a purpose for each trial.
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May we never forget that the mighty waves of troubling circumstances that sometimes break over our lives are controlled by the same One who put a boundary on the ocean. They will only go as far as His purpose for our lives will allow. Not one inch farther. Nor one minute longer.

This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, September 28, 2019.

My Redeemer lives with Nicole C. Mullen:

The post God Sets the Boundaries for Each Trial {The Atlanta Journal Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Post by: Christy Mobley

The other night I dreamt the house was on fire. I sat straight up in the bed and like a blind person groping for a fire extinguisher my hand fumbled about the bedside table knocking stuff over until…

Ahhh, I found it! Gaviscon.

One swig of the cool-minty-green liquid and the fire was out. At least for the moment.

If you haven’t already guessed, yeah I have that insidious, nasty acid reflux! The term even sounds caustic. Acid. Reeee-flux.

This condition has been a bug-a-boo for me on and off most of my adult life. It was for my dad too.

Thanks Dad! (God rest his beloved soul.)

Lately the fire in my esophagus has been of the three alarm variety.

Why am I telling you this?

If you think it’s because I’m over fifty and over-fifty people talk about their ailments all the time (even though we do), that is not the reason.

Here is the reason:

I know certain foods cause me to have flare-ups. And because I know which ones are the culprits its stands to reason I would want to stay away from said evil. Yes? Why would I want to mess with my menu?

I’ll tell you why.

As I put distance between myself and my last episode of “towering inferno” I start to once again feel confident in my indulging without consequence. And once again I stray into dangerous territory.

I say to myself…

I think I can handle it.

This time will be different.

I’m different.

I’m stronger now.

That one slice of pizza won’t bother me. I mean what’s the harm in a little chocolate or yummy garlic bread or the pesto jam jar from the Nordstrom’s Bazille cafe…

And then as if blindsided, like, oh my goodness I can’t believe this is happening to me again!, I find myself rummaging through the medicine drawer for another Zantac, Tums or Gas-X, to ease the bloat in my gut and the distress in my chest.

Not a pretty picture.

I’m confessing this to you because isn’t this what we do with sin?

We know what our temptations are. We know what gets us into trouble. I don’t need to give you a multiple choice list, you and I both know what our weaknesses are, just as well as I know which foods make me sick.

Somehow when things have been calm for a time, we begin to get proud, telling ourselves, “I can handle this.”  We follow our temptation deeper and deeper into the woods until we are the point of no return. It all feels innocent enough at first, until once again we fall into the pit of uncomfortable consequences.

Oh my goodness, the travesty.

But God in his infinite wisdom and grace knows how we are and has provided tools to help us,—to protect us from ourselves.

1. God gave us memories for a reason and not just pleasant ones. Don’t allow distance to cloud them. Sometimes it is imperative to remember the bad stuff. If we recall the pain of a previous experience, we are less likely to go there again. It’s called wising up.

2. Call out to God for help. His word tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tested beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you an endure it.”

3. Realize we are apt to rationalize our way out of saying no to our temptations. We can deceive ourselves better than anyone else. “The heart is deceitful above all things…”Jeremiah 17:9. Please know I’m preaching to the choir. That’s exactly why I love this verse…such an eye opener.

How many uncomfortable situations will we get ourselves into, how many people will we hurt or how many disruptions will take place in our homes or at work before we learn we will never conquer our weakness by our own power and might?

And how many times will I knock the water glass off the nightstand reaching for the Gavascon to put out the unnecessary fire in my gut?
All because I continue to mess with the menu…

“Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left, keep your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:26-27

Looking forward, pressing on and seeking God in every bump and twist in the road.

Christy 

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The post I Can’t Believe I Ate the Whole Thing! {#RechargeWednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.