‘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.’ James 1:13 (ESV)

It’s a natural instinct to blame anything or anyone for what happens to us.

We so often think that circumstances are out of our control. That life has it “in for us”. That God is making us suffer.

And yes. He is sovereign. The Almighty Creator is the one pulling the strings of this universe.

Yet He does not manipulate situations to put us in harms way. To force us to choose between good and evil.

We do that to ourselves. Following our own selfish desires.

By giving us “free will” He permits us to make a choice between what is right and what is wrong.

But we shouldn’t blame Him for that. Instead, we should simply pray, as Jesus taught us:

“And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.”

Matthew 6:13 (ESV)

He will provide us a “way out”. We just need to recognise the exit.

Kim+

prayer : The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)

action : examine my own heart and desires