The apostle Paul told members of the church in Corinth that the temptations they faced weren’t that unusual. “There hath no temptation taken you,” he wrote, “but such as is common to man” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Even when we’re willing to acknowledge that we’ve sinned, we may try to minimize our guilt by emphasizing the uniqueness of our circumstances. Paul says no, your temptations are pretty much the same as everyone else’s, so don’t assume that you get extra credit for having extra hard ones.
But then, he adds some words of reassurance:
God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
I love that promise! God allows us to be tempted, but He will help us overcome those temptations. We are not alone. He will help us choose wisely.
This scripture reminds me of Nephi’s response when his father gave him a difficult assignment: “I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” (1 Nephi 3:7; see also 1 Nephi 9:6, 1 Nephi 17:3, 13, 41).
Paul and Nephi want us to recognize that God is involved in our lives. He is the architect of our mortal experience, and He is aware of us from moment to moment. Events that seem random to us don’t surprise Him, and He is ready to lead us through them.
Today, I will trust that God has prepared a way for me to meet every challenge I face. I will trust Him to help me choose wisely and to help me fulfill my responsibilities.
Leave a Reply