The common denominator for trials, temptations, and adversities is that God is Faithful. I started to meditate on 1 Corinthians 10:13. It says, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

What comes to your mind when you think of the word overtaken? One night I drove several of us gals to an ice cream parlor. When it was time to leave it was raining hard. I told them to wait and I’d bring my car around. I jumped into my car and started it. Someone rose up from the back seat. At that moment I was overtaken with fear. It was a friend playing a prank.

No trial, adversity, or temptation that we face is announced ahead of time. It is always a surprise and something that stops us in our tracks. I love the words, ‘but God is faithful, who will not allow.’ God Himself sets the parameters.