When situations arise, our flesh wants to turn to other outlets outside of God. There are positive and negative outlets. Positive outlets include, exercise for stress, therapy for depression, or a financial adviser for our finances. Negative outlets include, drugs for stress, self-harm for depression, or investing in a get-rich-quick scheme to ease our financial troubles.

Regardless if the outlets are positive or negative, relying solely on these outlets pushes God out. Prioritizing something else above God is called idolatry.

God knew we would face negative situations in our lives and between His Word, His Spirit, and the finished works of Jesus, God’s already provided our help. God may direct us to some of these positive outlets. but He doesn’t want us to rely solely on them.

Let’s not push God out of our problems and reach towards our outlets. Let God be THE only Outlet in our lives.

1 Corinthians 10:13 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.