The scripture I Cor. 10:13 has always been critically important to me.  I’m not sure when in high school I heard it used in a sermon, but I always wanted it to be the one promise from God He worked in my life.  If you are unfamiliar with it, it reads:  “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  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 stand up under it.”

At the time I became aware of this promise, I was still being abused by my brother’s sexual use.  I was in high school and so my own sexual feelings were becoming fully awake. What seemed so awful to me was the fact that my brother was sick, and I was sick and there was no way of escape.  In so many words this verse seemed to be saying that every type of temptation was common to man.  Along with that, God would provide a way of escape so I could stand up under it.  I was hugely confused, but the promise seemed to be clear.  I clung to it for dear life.  I would plead with God to make it real for me.

We all know that God’s timetable is not one that man creates.  I wanted my freedom from my brother’s abuse right then and I wanted the confusion of my sexual thoughts to be cleansed right then, 50 years ago.  Well now, 50 years later, I’m blogging about how God is showing me His purpose in this scripture.  Now that I’ve opened myself to share my story, I’m finding many people who are struggling similarly (common to man).  I’m 65 years old and the temptation still exists, yet the truth of another verse:  Ephesians 6:13 reminds me to put on the full armor of God, and when I do, I can stand.  Am I a master at this–No.  Am I learning how to be a master at this–Yes.  I’m finding yet another truth from James 5:16.  It says:  “confess my sins to someone I trust and pray for each other because the prayer of a righteous man  is powerful and effective.”  I’m just now learning to swallow the pride I spoke about yesterday and tell the ones I trust.  I’m old in body but young in this practice.  However, when I apply all these truths I find the truth of I Corinthians 10:13 to be as solid as any other promise.  Isn’t our God amazing!