”No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.“ – ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬

In my career, I have interviewed thousands of brokenhearted people. I’ve talked to the families of people who have been brutally murdered, the families of people who have gone missing, many never to return. I’ve spoken with people who killed other people, whether it be in the line of duty, by accident, or in homicides, justifiable or otherwise.

One thing you know when you have heard from so many broken people is compassion. You see similar traits among each, and in each different story, you hear the same story over and over again.
That’s how Jesus is with us. First, He has the perspective of someone who has heard the heart of every sinner in history. He has seen the struggle, and He’s seen it when it wasn’t a struggle.

He knows the things we fight with on a daily basis because He has listened throughout history.
But during the time He was on earth, He faced every one of those temptations and heartbreaks and struggles, but instead of choosing badly like we so often do, He showed us the way.

This is not a God who is waiting to distribute justice with a heavy hand and a hard heart. This is a God who is with you every step of the way and understands your broken heart. Some pastors in their pulpits preach of hell and death as though they are the only things to consider in your walk with the Lord.

That’s wrong. Certainly, we should think about the reality of those things, but more importantly I believe, we need to focus on His love. Jesus was tempted in every way that we are and He withstood it.

Then He took that sin of all of ours on Himself in spite of His blamelessness. Tell me that’s a God that wants to send us to hell, because it’s not.

God loves you so much. In this coming year, I challenge you to seek for His love more than His condemnation. Speak of His heart more than His judgment. Speak of His sacrifice more than His rules.

For He so loved you that He sent his only begotten son. ❤️