Learning in the Desert

I could be wrong, but I am still convinced that the appropriate answer to any difficulty in my life is not to fix the problem. My first response needs to always be, “Lord, what is in this situation that I need to experience so that I can be more like You, and more truly the person You say I am?”

Based on the answer to that question, and my response to that answer, I might then be in a proper position to fix the problem.

All of the great spiritual benefits in my life have come to me because I encountered difficulties, not in spite of the fact that I encountered difficulties.

Because of. Not in spite of. When temptation to fail confronts me, I will be provided a way of escape. That way of escape is to become more like Jesus. I get the freedom after I get the attack. No attack, no deliverance.

Now I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from a spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ. But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the desert.

Now these things became examples for us, so that we will not desire evil as they did. Don’t become idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to play. Let us not commit sexual immorality as some of them did, and in a single day 23,000 people fell dead. Let us not tempt Christ as some of them did, and were destroyed by snakes. Nor should we complain as some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.
(1 Corinthians 10:1-13 HCSB ©®)