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. (NIV)

—

“Take the next exit. I gotta go!”

No additional context is necessary for this urgent request. We have all been there and done that. 

The quote is worth remembering. It could come in handy even when you don’t need to make a pit stop. 

For example, during my teenage years, a buddy of mine and I found ourselves in a souped-up pickup with the crazy older brother of one of our friends from school. I don’t remember how we ended up in that pickup. All I remember was the terror of driving down a country road late at night at nearly one hundred miles per hour without the benefit of good sense on the part of the driver or seat belts for any of us. My buddy sitting next to me was as frightened as I was. And he wasn’t afraid of anything. 

A timely exit would have served us well. 

If only that were a unique, one-of-a-kind story in my life. How about you? Have you ever been in a place where a handy exit could have made all the difference? I myself could make a good long list here. 

The good news is God provides exits. Or, if you are familiar with London’s subway system, The Tube, you know they don’t use the term “EXIT.” Instead, they say “WAY OUT.” Why does The Tube system use “WAY OUT” instead of “EXIT?” Because an EXIT could be a door, but the WAY OUT is the full journey from where you are to the outside. 

Aren’t you glad God provides both exits and the way out? If you look back at the verse above, you notice that it says, “he will also provide a way out.” He leads us all the way out. This may be good news you didn’t know was available to you until just now.

One of the wisest prayers we can pray is, “Father, show me the way out.” 

It’s a good prayer to pray when a rabbit hole on the internet opens up in front of you and gives you the chance to waste the next two hours on something that ultimately will never matter in your life, while robbing you of every good and productive thing you could do instead. Or so I’ve heard.

It’s a good prayer to pray when you find yourself in a room where you don’t need to be. 

It’s a good prayer to pray when you find yourself in a conversation that is going sideways. 

It’s a good prayer to pray when you find yourself in a conversation that’s going backward. 

It’s a good prayer to pray when you find yourself arguing with political ads on TV. (You know they can’t hear you, right?)

It’s a good prayer to pray when you find yourself in a conversation that, in the words of Kool and the Gang, is Too Hot. ([https://bit.ly/4ke9Fmf](https://bit.ly/4ke9Fmf))

It’s a good prayer to pray when you find yourself about to spend money you don’t have to impress people you don’t like. 

It’s a good prayer to pray when you find yourself about to be powerful when you really should be patient. 

What other opportunities can you think of where this prayer would come in handy? 

One last thought: Never settle for an EXIT when you need a WAY OUT.

—

I will find God’s way out of every temptation that promises something good but results in something destructive.

—

Our Father, thank you for providing a way out of every temptation. Every temptation promises us something it cannot provide. Every temptation leads to sin, which leads to regret. Every temptation wounds us and others. Teach us to look to you for a way out of every temptation. Thank you that every time we are tempted, you are on the job to deliver us into a better outcome. And thank you for getting me out of that truck safely all those years ago. Thank you for giving me the good sense to never get in another one like it. Amen.