We talk about "the straw that breaks the camel's back" but Paul argues that this is not something that God plans for us. In God's economy trouble is on a leash and we may experience trouble, persecution, hardship or grief, but they should not break us.
When we taste hardship and trouble, it is what is "common to man." But when trouble comes our way we're tempted to think "Woe is me! I'm being singled out! Why me? Why is _this_ happening to _me_?" But we are not being victimised, we're just experiencing the brokenness of the world and I can guarantee that it will not be a long search to find someone who is going through as much or more trouble than I am!
And trouble does not have to break us. Many people think that this is a foregone conclusion. They seem to think that there will be the back-breaking straw and that this is where trouble always leads. But Paul is adamant: while trouble and temptation may tempt us to break, God's plan is for us to endure and overcome.
And God provides a way out - this is not necessarily a "get out of trouble" pass, but a lifeline that we can climb, a rock on which we can stand, a thought or Bible Verse that fortifies or sustains us, or a friend with a listening ear and Godly counsel.
The sad thing is that many people allow their backs to break when it is not necessary. They fear that trouble will get worse and anticipate that things will get much worse than they are. They're actually tougher than they think but they give up when they are three steps from the finish line.
God does allow us to taste trouble - this is the consequence of our free will and our sin. But He does not allow trouble and temptation the power to break us. We need to be courageous and hang in until the breakthrough.
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
