The Sandstorm

1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Have you ever been on a beach, a sand dune, or desert where the wind was blowing so fiercely that it was lifting the sand up and into your eyes? The sand hits across your body causing you pain and the sand in your eyes causes you to close them so that you can’t see where you’re going. In the midst of temptation, we too are getting bombarded with thoughts that are not in keeping with the commandments of Christ. We are getting stung with thoughts that are of the world. If we stay in this sandstorm of temptations, we become blinded and take on damage because we choose to press on with what we are being tempted with.

In the midst of these temptations, it’s easy to forget there is a way out. Sometimes it’s as easy as leaving the windy beach or getting off the dunes where the winds are whipping across. Some temptations are more like being trapped in a desert where it seems like we can’t quickly run to safety. In these moments, we have to remember that we can mentally step out of the sandstorm and consider who we are, what we are doing, and where this is going. We can turn our back to the sandy winds, open our eyes, and realize Christ is there with us in the midst of this struggle and it’s an opportunity to cling to Him.

The enemy may want us to feel overwhelmed or blinded by temptation, but if we turn our back to sin and open our eyes towards Christ, we’ll see the enemy’s attack as a reminder to pray even more fervently than before. It’s a reminder of how much we need Christ. It’s a reminder to be still and know Who we serve and Who we belong to. It’s a reminder that Christ will help us endure and provide a way of escape if we turn to Him.