1 Corinthians 10:13 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.

So you think you are at your breaking point? You say “yes, I can’t take it anymore.” I am sure it feels that way, whatever your “it” may be. The above Scripture says “it” is common to mankind. So take heart that no matter what you are going through, you are not the first person to experience it and you won’t be the last. “That’s of little consolation to me” you protest.

Let us look at your situation through another lens. “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1). Jesus received no exemption from temptation. As his follower, why should you? So don’t curse your desert experience even though it is stretching you. The devil challenged Jesus’ identity and his authority and demanded his allegiance in exchange for possessions. Jesus responded wielding the Word of God like a sword. That is our example!

At the end of Jesus’ temptation we are told: “Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” (Matthew 4:11). The principle of this holds for you as well. God is not insensitive to your pain and exhaustion therefore you must count on his faithfulness. He will not let the situation continue beyond your ability to bear it and will sustain you while it continues. It is noteworthy that it was only after Jesus had gone through this trial, that he began his ministry. Could it be that you are in the Refiner’s fire?