With legs stretched out before me, I watch as the waves crash onto the sand, ever closer as time goes by. The baby seagull waits, patiently, knowing that the rolling foam shall soon retreat back to the ocean. As it does, she rushes to dig into the wet sand in search of her afternoon snack.
The boundary of the ocean drew closer and closer, but baby seagull instinctively knows it: It can only go so far.
There is hardly a place on Earth where I feel God’s presence more than at the beach. It may be because I grew up at a beach town in southern Brazil, where surfing, building sandcastles, and walking along the shoreline were part of my weekly, sometimes daily routine. Or maybe it is because the beach is one of the very few places where I can truly unwind. Regardless, the moment I see the ocean and smell its unique scent, my muscles start relaxing, and all noises die down. There, where the line on the horizon marks the limit between heaven and earth, I feel the presence of God like nowhere else.
My husband and I were strolling down the beach during our family vacation earlier this week, enjoying a long conversation during our morning walk. We talked about plans for our future and marveled together as we recalled God’s faithfulness to us in the 20 years we’ve been married. We talked about the many trials we’ve faced and how hard it can be to see God’s hand amid life’s storms.
“He gave the sea its boundaries so the waters would not overstep his command (…)”
As we watched the waves crashing by our feet, Solomon’s words in the eighth chapter of the book of Proverbs came to mind. In this beautiful text of Scriptures, the wise king is inspired by God to bring wisdom to life. In beautiful, poetic verses, the chapter gives us a glimpse of the depth of God’s knowledge and wisdom when making the heavens and the earth … and while directing our lives.
I’ve heard it said that “God will not give you more than you can handle.” This sentence is repeated by well-meaning people, in an attempt to ease the distress felt by those going through life’s trials. As much as I appreciate the sentiment, I could not disagree more with the principle. This “motto” is actually a distorted interpretation of the apostle Paul’s words in his first letter to the Corinthian church:
“No temptation has overtaken you, except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it.”
The word temptation in the context refers not only to tempting thoughts or actions but also to tests and trials we face. Paul’s encouragement to the Corinthian believers was not to let them know that God would stop pain before their breaking point, but rather, that he is faithful to give us the strength and grace to face the hard trials in life, if only we lean on him instead of our own strength and understanding.
Indeed, this principle has been tested and proven in my life, as many trials I’ve faced had the potential to drive me to a breaking point; since no resources, wisdom, nor help could be found in the circumstances.
There was that time when, with a 3-month-old baby, my husband lost his job, and we depleted our savings account to be able to keep our household functioning. We were driven to the point of utter dependence on God for provision, as doors kept closing for many months. It was during those stressful, however priceless months, that we saw God’s hand of provision in ways that can only be explained as supernatural.
Or like the time when health issues piled up, weakening my flesh and spirit, tempting me to give up on the ministry God has called me to do. And yet, his love, mercy and grace gave me the strength to take one more step forward.
Indeed, as real as the fact that hard circumstances often drive us to the end of ourselves, is the truth that God meets us there to teach, mold, and strengthen us. There’s a purpose for each trial.
May we never forget that the mighty waves of troubling circumstances that sometimes break over our lives are controlled by the same one who put a boundary on the ocean. They will only go as far as his purpose for our lives will allow. Not one inch farther. Nor one minute longer.
Patricia Holbrook is a columnist, author, blogger and international speaker. Visit her website www.soaringwithHim.com. For speaking engagements and comments, email pholbrook@soaringwithHim.com
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