"Walk this Way"

When I was growing up, my mom used to walk me to school every morning and pick me up in the afternoon. I only lived a block away from my elementary school, but when I was young it was a scary thing to walk to class on my own. By myself I could have encountered “stranger danger.” Or, I could have been tempted to walk in the street or be tardy for class. My mom knew of all these things, so she faithfully walked me to school until she knew I was ready to walk alone.

We often hear people use the phrase, “God will not give us anything we can't handle.” This is referring to the encouraging passage in 1 Corinthians 10:13 which states, “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.” It is probably safe to say that many of us have faced trials in our lives that have seemed overwhelming. We have questioned God if this is something that we are supposed to be able to handle.

Jesus also struggled with temptation and he sought God's guidance as a way to stand up to it. Luke 22 depicts Jesus at the Mount of Olives with his disciples. He instructed them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation (Luke 22:40).” Jesus demonstrates the example of what we should do so we do not fall. He knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will but yours be done. An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:43-44).”

When I think about the memory of my mother walking me to school, I see the illustration of God's protection. He holds our hand as we walk this scary world, but yearns to see the day when we are able to stand up to it on our own. When I walked alone to school, I was able to meet the challenge because my mother had guided me. Just as prayer is God's guidance. What trial can you earnestly pray about, so God can strengthen you and watch you stand up to it?