The Challenge of the Day

Every day we are faced with challenges. Challenges in our life, family, friends and many other areas you can think of. As I write this blog I am going through one of those challenging days. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "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".We like to believe that God will not put challenges on our lives that are more than we can handle. However that is not what this verse says. God will not allow temptation to be bigger than we can handle. So my question is what do we do with our challenges? When we are ignored by friends, hurt by loved ones and betrayed by those you trust, how are we to respond. If we set the record straight we are considered defensive. If we give in we are considered passive. How do we lead from the point of challenge? Jesus all throughout His ministry faced challenges. His biggest challenges were from the His "people", the Pharisees. Not much has changed in 2000 years. The people called to shepherd their flocks face challenges from their own people. It is never good enough. So why do pastors continue to shepherd? We can work in secular jobs and reach the lost for Christ. I have pondered this question for quite some time but now I am writing because I need to. When I left Dayton, Ohio I had a good job, a nice house and many close friends. In four years I have a nice house and not much more. So I go back to my original thought, does God put us through challenges that are bigger than we can handle? The answer is yes. I am living proof of it right now. God does not do this so we can fail. God does this so He can be glorified through us. It is not easy, I want to quit, but I know God has called me to His mission. Therefore Quitting is not an option. I must continue press on for the prize that Christ has called us to, Philippians 3:13-14.