In the summer of 1981, I endured basic training at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. One of the many learning experiences of the summer was the confidence course. It was a series of obstacles designed to stretch the limits of each cadet, both individually and collectively. I remember walking across a balance beam made from logs, over 50 feet in the air. One of the most difficult obstacles was a very large tower. It resembled a high-rise building without the exterior walls. To ascend the tower, each cadet had to reach up to the next floor with a reverse grip and basically, pull your feet up over your head in an upward somersault. Each floor became a bit scarier, as your height above the ground increased. The ground began to feel like it was a long way down, and it was covered in sawdust to break your fall, if need be. In hindsight, I can’t tell you how many floors this structure had, but it seems like it was 100 feet tall at the least. My guess is it was more like 50 feet. Once you made it to the top, you had to come down. If going up was difficult, going down was going to be a real joy, as now, you grabbed the floor and did a forward somersault, then pulled your feet inward to the floor you could not see.
What was the point of this exercise, and the others on this difficult day? To remind each cadet in no uncertain terms that the limits we put on ourselves are very arbitrary. They largely are based on fear of what may occur, and what we visualize is a loss of life or limb. Once the day was over, each of us was able to look back and see how much more we were able to accomplish than we ever would have dreamed. Part of it had to do with the helping hands and encouraging words from classmates, but another part had to do with simply, the attempt. Or should I say attempts. Sometimes, there were failed attempts, but after wiping off the sawdust, sticking a band-aid on the scrape, and getting your courage up again, there was always another attempt.
Do you ever feel like the situations facing you are hopeless? When you look through your eyes, they may appear to be exactly that. Yet God has reminded us to walk by faith, not by sight. He also has given us many promises, and as God is incapable of breaking a promise, we can take those to the bank. Here’s one that we should focus on when facing adversity:
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 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.
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NKJV)
God doesn’t put us into situations to make us fail, though we often fail. He puts us into situations where we can learn to rely on His power, rather than our own power. Alone, I will continuously fail, but with God, all things are possible! He never will give us more than we can handle. Are you faced with a great difficulty? Take it as a compliment. He must be telling you that He has made you strong in Him! It might appear to be scary or difficult, but when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He is with you! His desire is to stretch us, to mold us as a Potter molds clay, so that He can use us for His purposes. Are you willing? If you are not, He is still going to stretch you if you are His. Willingness and obedience are two wonderful attributes in your relationship with the Lord!
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