IF

The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, …” (Matthew 4:3 NIV)

“If you are a child of God, why do these things happen to you? If you are a child of God, why are you sick, hurting, broke, (fill in the blank)?” Satan knows that we are God’s children. His temptation for us is to get us to doubt. He wants us to doubt that God loves us and that he hears us. But what Satan plans as a temptation (to go contrary to God’s will), God uses as a test (to cause one to prove faithful to God’s will). Satan’s intent in temptation is that we fail. God’s intent is that we succeed. God promises that no matter what is thrown at us, he will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle.  (1 Cor 10:13)

The awesome news is that while Satan plans are designed for our failure, God’s protections are designed for our success. In other words, God’s plan is that we will always pass the test.

“I know the plans I have for you.”  Jeremiah 29:11

–Elaine Kapetanakis