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Well, WE can't. I'm sorry to say that in our strength, it's just not possible. You and I will mess up every single time if we are coming at trials and temptations with our own willpower. ‌

Suppose you put my six-year-old daughter alone in a room with a cupcake covered in pink frosting, sprinkles, and a big ol' cherry on top. There's NOTHING in this world that is going to stop her from tasting that cupcake. It's just nearly impossible. Without some sort of intervention, left to her own devices, she won't be able to withstand that temptation. 

We are the same way. The enemy KNOWS what tempts us. He's got our number. It might not be a cupcake. But it's something. 

Maybe Gossip? Some people love a big, fat, juicy bit of news about other people. Or it could be lust, pride, lying, oh, the list can go on and on.

14 We are tempted by our own desires that drag us off and trap us. 15 Our desires make us sin, and when sin is finished with us, it leaves us dead. 

 The Holy Bible: The Contemporary English Version, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), Jas 1:14–15.‌

So, how can we deal with life's troubles when we know we are like a six-year-old in a room with a pink cupcake? ‌

18 He wanted us to be his own special people, and so he sent the true message to give us new birth. 

 The Holy Bible: The Contemporary English Version, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), Jas 1:18.

We are no longer slaves to sin; we've been born again! We no longer need to stress out when trouble comes our way. Our life is more than what we currently see! We have a hope for eternity that motivates us to live for Christ every day! ‌

Here's the deal: when we understand what Christ has done, we can walk in victory over sin, temptation, and even the troubles that try to take us out. 

20 I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me. 21 I don't turn my back on God's undeserved kindness. If we can be acceptable to God by obeying the Law, it was useless for Christ to die. 

 The Holy Bible: The Contemporary English Version, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), Ga 2:20–21.

Our lives must reflect the fact that Christ has redeemed us! We overcome temptations and trials by intentionally living for Him. 

‌The Spirit of God will convict us when we choose the wrong way. Conviction, to me, feels like someone poked me with a needle. It hurts a little, but it gets my attention. It's a wonderful thing if we listen to His voice.  

It means God loves you and is calling you to a new way of living for Him. ‌

Today, ask the Lord for forgiveness for not running to Him, ask Him for wisdom, and praise Him for giving His righteous son who provides us with the ability to stand in God's presence.