Everyone woke up later than usual this morning, the time change not helping any of us wake up on time. As I unwrapped pop-tarts from their silver packaging (breakfast of champions….. or rather breakfast of running late kids), I noticed words written boldly on the box…. “IF YOU CAN’T STAND THE HEAT…. GET OUT OF THE TOASTER!”

If only that’s how life worked……

When life gets hard, how nice would it be to have the option to just leave?

When the kids are driving you crazy and you feel like you’re about ready to lose your mind, how great would it be to just walk out the door and say, “adios!”

When you go through hard seasons in your marriage how convenient would it be to get in your car and drive far away.

Or when life just feels too overwhelming, when your plate is stacked high and things are falling off and you feel like you can’t keep doing it all, how nice would it be to toss the plate in the trash with all the things and go on vacation?

Or when a friendship goes south, to kiss that friendship goodbye and find new friends somewhere else.

Unfortunately in our fallen world, people do, “get out of the toaster”. Because it is easier. Easier in the present to give up. Easier to say I can’t do this anymore and leave. Leave behind marriages, kids, friendships, responsibilities, and family.

In all honesty, I’m not really a fan of the heat. It’s hot (obviously), sweaty and uncomfortable. Sometimes the heat can feel suffocating and stifling; it can burn. And while in the heat, there’s nothing more I would love to do than leave and go somewhere where there is air conditioning and where it’s more comfortable.

It’s a lot like hard times. When I struggle, it’s uncomfortable and sweaty. At times I can feel like I’m suffocating and smothered. But during those times, if I just leave to a more comfortable place, I don’t grow. I don’t learn. I don’t mend relationships. I don’t become a better version of myself.

John 16:33 – “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.”

We will have trouble. Period. God tells us this. ALL of us. No one’s life is easy. We all may have different degrees of hard but whatever you are struggling with, there are multiple others out there in the world, struggling with the same things.

Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Here’s the thing, you have to stay in the toaster for God to help you. Getting out, running away, never helps in the long run. I know it’s going to suck. You are going to be uncomfortable for a while, you might even get a little burnt. But when your time is up, after the molding and shaping and refining; when the times comes to rise up, you will be better than before. Just like a pop-tart is better after being toasted, you will be more exquisite.

Don’t give up, you can withstand the heat a little longer. God is with you in the toaster.

Who knew God would use a box of pop-tarts to help my mindset this morning?