“God won’t give you more than you can handle…”
Odd, I can’t seem to find that verse.
I’m guessing Job would take exception to that cliche.
So would Joseph.
Paul did.
“We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself…” 2 Corinthians 1:8
Why would God allow him to experience hurt more than he could handle? Read on. “…so that we might not rely on ourselves but on God.” 2 Corinthians 1:9
Truth?
Cancer is more than you can handle.
So is infidelity.
So is divorce.
So is caregiving.
So is rejection.
So is death
and loss
and grief
and prodigal children
and 101 other life struggles.
God doesn’t expect YOU to handle it.
He expects you to hand it over to HIM.
He doesn’t want you relying on your strength, but on His.
He doesn’t want you relying on your own power, but on His.
If we keep walking around thinking
“God won’t give me more than I can handle,”
we’re setting ourselves up for
heavenly disappointment.
There’s good news?
He beckons for your burdens, “Cast your cares upon Me…” I Peter 5:7
He wants you to cast ALL your burdens on Him and you will never feel relief until you do.
God, we need you!
Shared from Janiece Higgins
I’ve always disliked the phrase that suggests God hands out our troubles, like the saying, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” I believe that’s simply not true. Instead, God asks us to hand our troubles over to Him, and that’s the reality! My mom was a beautiful believer who taught me so much about the Lord. I’ll be honest; sometimes her “preaching” could be a bit annoying, especially during my teenage years. However, she only wanted the best for me and often reminded me that there is a God and there is an Enemy—don’t forget that.
I listened to her, but it didn’t mean much to me until I started facing my own real-life troubles. Then I remembered what she had told me and reflected on it. Wow! She was right! There is an Enemy, and his name is Satan. For some reason, God often gets blamed for all the troubles that Satan brings into our lives. Does that resonate with any of you? Have you ever been blamed for something you didn’t do? I have, many times, and it’s frustrating!
What should we do when we face difficult times? Sometimes we try to set things right, and occasionally that works, but other times it doesn’t. No matter how we choose to respond, it still hurts. Do you think God feels similar emotions when He is blamed for the burdens inflicted by the enemy? The good news is that God is greater than those challenges and can handle anything! I imagine bringing my overflowing garbage bag of burdens to the cross and leaving it there. It isn’t a pretty picture, but God wants to hear about our struggles – and to hand them over to Him. He desires to know what’s happening in our lives—even though He already knows, as He is God Almighty. However, He wants us to share our thoughts and feelings with Him.
I have experienced nearly everything on that list and more: cancer scares, infidelity, divorce, caregiving, loss, rejection, and grief. Like Job, I often wonder, “How much more can I lose?” Just when I think I have made it through one crisis and can finally relax, something else comes up! Some days, it feels like it’s more than I can handle, and I have found myself wallowing in it. However, when I give my struggles to God, He reassures me that He loves me and is always there for me. My dear friends Dick and Donna gifted me the book Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence, Note-Taking Edition by Sarah Young, which has been incredibly comforting. God calls us to Him all the time, and He is always there to talk to us through prayer. It’s as if He’s sitting in our favorite room, in our favorite chair, patiently waiting for us to sit down and spend time with Him.
Today is Saturday, December 14th. In today’s reading from Jesus Calling, it says, “Tune in to My eternal security, for I am the same yesterday, today, and forever. If you live on the surface of life by focusing on ever-changing phenomena, you will find yourself echoing the words of Solomon: ‘Meaningless! Meaningless! Everything is meaningless!’ Living in collaboration with Me is the way to instill meaning into your days. Begin each day alone with Me so that you can experience the reality of My Presence. As you spend time with Me, the way before you opens up step by step. Arise from the stillness of our communion, and gradually begin your journey through the day. Hold My hand in deliberate dependence on Me, and I will smooth out the path before you.” How beautiful is that? This brings me great comfort, especially on those days when I feel all alone in the world.
I love the Bible verse, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:6). It doesn’t say to acknowledge Him in some ways or only in the ways you believe are worthy of God’s attention. It states “in ALL ways.”
To be honest, I tend to be a “handler”—I believe I can manage anything – especially since my divorce. However, I’ve come to realize that I can’t do it all on my own. I’m simply not equipped to handle everything by myself. Asking for help is really difficult for me, but there are times when I truly need assistance.
Even at this stage in my life, when I feel that I have learned so much, there is still so much more for me to discover! I believe that God is always ready to guide me if I simply ask. He wants to hear about all my troubles as well as the good things happening in my life. God won’t give you more than you can handle. He won’t hand out troubles to you. But He will be your Handler! Amen to that!
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