Pushed to My Limit.

When we are supposed to live by the Spirit why is the flesh so strong of an influence?

Man, some days are really hard. Not only are there tough days because of life's circumstances, but temptations are all around. Sometimes I wonder, "Why God?"

James 1: 12-14

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death" (ESV).

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

Ok, now this scripture has given me something to chew on for quite some time. If the desire was not in me, then the things that I am tempted by wouldn't be a temptation. I have grown to pray that those desires, some I am not even are aware of are taken out of me.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

The first part of this scripture though indicates remaining steadfast under trial. If there was not the temptation, there wouldn't be a trial. See, sometimes my mind has to chew on an idea before it can digest it. This chapter starts off with James writing in verses 2-4, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (ESV). So there is no getting away from trial, in fact, we are supposed to count it all joy.

All joy? Really? Back to the scripture. The trials that test our faith produce steadfastness which is a really good thing. We forget that we need God's help or we will give in to our sinful desires. The wrong desires are in us and we are to go to God, that is the test of our faith. Do we go to God or do we think we can handle things on our own, becoming our own little gods? This leads to sin and then death.

We can remain steadfast when we put our faith in God.

Back to the title of this post, "Pushed to My Limit." The frustration that I have when there are trials of many kinds. There is no way to divorce from my circumstances, so those are a trial, and then there are the desires that are within me. I get pushed to my limit because I am taking the struggles on myself and not turning them over to God. I put my faith in what I can do and my own wisdom, and I should have faith that God will take care of me. Pushed to my limit, I need to realize that there is no limit, it is either to trust God and grow in steadfastness or go the route that leads to death.

Drawing closer to God through trials and temptations is why these things are to be counted as joy. The faith that leads to steadfastness and its full effect is what I want, and if you are reading a Christian blog post I'm sure it is what you want.

I hope I have given you something to chew on, may God bless you.