There are times when we feel our situation is exceptional. No other human has ever dealt with this as I am dealing. Nobody ever felt this as intensely as I feel. No one with my status also faces my static. We would do well to remember that neither our strengths, our weakness, our passions, nor our pains are completely unique in the human experience. Although it may seem at the moment that our experience is exceptional, we would be surprised to learn just how common our conundrum truly is! Consider these words from Paul to the believers in Corinth:
If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NLT)
We may feel particularly strong compared to others, or we may feel momentarily weak compared to others. The Creator of the universe has the benefit of a larger perspective, and He reveals to us not only the commonality of the human experience, but also the availability of His presence and His guidance when we think we cannot endure!
Recall the tearful cries of the prophet Elijah. Living in a land controlled by King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, he felt isolated, frustrated, and subjugated. Elijah was ready to resign until he received help from the Divine:
But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”1 Kings 19:9b-18 (NLT)
Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha! Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”
Reflection
- Have you ever felt like you were the only one who saw a problem or who passionately cared about a particular issue?
- Have you ever felt like no one had the same problems as you?
- What aspect(s) of your life surprise you when you see others with similar inclinations?
- Why do you think people can readily believe the myth of exceptionalism?
- What comfort do you receive from the idea that your problems are not unique?
- What lies do you have to relinquish in order to walk in solutions to your issues?
Food for Thought 