1 Corinthians Part 1

So two great insights from my reading this evening. No relation other than they are both from the Epistle of 1 Corinthians.

The first insight is in 1 Corinthians 10:13b. The Bible says "God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide for you a way out so that you may endure it." -- Previous to this the first part of this quote has been used in my life. As in: God won't test you beyond your strength. But that interpretation begs the question of honest, good, everyday Christians who are not able to endure sufferings but actually do break under them. They are crushed by death, unfairness, change, etc. These seem to contradict each other.

The point isn't that our trials can't crush us if we're good Christians. The point is that God will "provide for you a way out so that you may endure it." Somehow in our trying times there is a way to shift so that we can endure.

It isn't necessarily obvious or natural. It takes the eyes to see, perhaps the training to perceive, perhaps the assistance from good friends. If we are not looking, we may cling militantly to our trials hoping to endure. It is not always just our steadfastness, but also our willingness to see the way out, or I might say forward or toward comfort, that allows us to endure trials in Christ.

The second insight is more academic and it's late, so good night and God bless :)