No temptation

has overtaken you

that is not common to man.

God is faithful,

and He will not let you

be tempted

beyond your ability,

but with the temptation

he will also provide

     the way of escape.

     1 Corinthians 10. 13

(Nothing --

no temptation,

no affliction,

no suffering,

no lack or weakness--

that others have not

gone through

         before us.

That does not discount

nor ignore

our own pain or struggle,

      but gives us hope.

We are not alone in this.

God is faithful.

He has placed others

around us

not to point to an exit door

       but love and help us

       to endure.)

O LORD,

Help us to seek You

      in our struggles,

those fears and situations

that overwhelm

       and overtake us

and keep us up at night.

Please help us to realize

when we seek You,

we are strengthened

with a strength that is

        from You.

We can endure differently.

Bring us through,

not just to survive

       but somehow thrive, 

not in spite of it

       but through it.

Because You are here

     to carry us.