Friday, 31 October 2008
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Not In Bible? -"God Doesn't Give Us More Than We Can Handle"
Guest post submitted by walkonwater
I'm forced at times to question God's promises. I don't think it's because of my lack of faith- it's more a lack of my understanding of why all of the craziness is happening in my life at that particular time. Over the past 6 weeks there has been more happen in my personal life than I've felt that I could handle. I'll admit that I've been angry, bitter, depressed and confused as to why everything has happened. One of the phrases I've heard time and time again from family and friends is that God never gives us more than we can handle.
I've never been ashamed or afraid to lean on God's promises in difficult times. Last night after an extremely scary situation involving my dad I decided to pull out my Bible and find what I had always assumed was somewhere in His word. "God will never give you more than you can handle." So I began to flip through the pages and couldn't find it. I got frustrated, so I logged online and googled it. Imagine my surprise when I realized- THAT VERSE DOES NOT EXIST!
However, I found lots of encouraging scripture that got me through the night and carried me into the office this morning. But, I'll admit, I'm still shocked that I had believed for so many years this verse was written somewhere in the wise pages of God's word, and now I know that it doesn't.
I know that God will work all things together for His glory and our good.
I know that no temptation is bigger than God.I know that He is loving and safe.
How do I know that I'm not dealing with more than what I can handle? I'm sure other people have lived through and overcome bigger things than I'm wading through. I know me though, and this feels like WAY more than I can handle.
Christians throughout my life have always said that if you're depressed, then you aren't trusting in God enough. So many great men in the Bible struggled with it though: Elijah, David, Paul….. these were amazing men of God who struggled with depression through the hard times. Did they feel as though they had more on their plates than what they could handle? If so, I'm right there with them.
It's not that I don't trust Him. It's not that I love Him any less in the difficult times of life. I know that through doubt my faith is seeking understanding. It's not weakening, it's trying to grow.
Where does this saying come from? Have you ever wondered if God is giving you more than you can handle?
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Comments (122)
God does give us more than we can handle sometimes. I don't know why. It could be he needs that to happen to fulfill a bigger, overall plan. It could be to get our attention, and teach us something. It could be to show us as an example to others in how to deal with a crisis.
I am sure of this. On the day of judgment, God won't owe anyone an apology.
I have suffered. I am 75. There will be more suffering. One day the suffering will end.
Good post today.
thanks
frank
this saying does come from the bible. the phrase "God doesn't give you more than you can handle" is actually a paraphrase. it comes from this bible verse:
Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it.
be encouraged again, because this verse does exist!! :D
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It made for a great post. When people say this, they're probably referring to 1 Corinthians 10:13. It says "God is faithful, who will not allow you be tempted beyond what you are able." It's talking about being tempted to sin, but people want to apply that to a lot of situations it doesn't cover.
David wrote about a lot of his struggles with God in Psalms. It's awfully hard to trust, or even endure, when we can't see the end.
True that phrase is not in the bible but I believe it is fashioned from a Scripture in 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man, God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
Now of course it is referring to a temptation, but aren't most of our trials temptations to worship/seek other people/things/idols instead of God?
I'm currently in an intense time of brokenness and depression and am constantly wondering when relief is going to arrive, but I'm continuing to find hope in the promises of His Word. Some Psalms that have been blessing my heart are: 51:16-17; 73:21-28; 5:1,11-12
It's so powerful to meditate on His promises and His truth. Because He is all that He says He is. He is unchangeable and faithful to the end. His being and promises are never based on our feelings (THANK GOD); they simply are.
Praise be to our God who is Faithful.
Sometimes God overwhelms us with trials so that we realize that we MUST lean into His grace and stop trying to live on our own.
Just some thoughts.
Haha, well looks like we got that Scripture nailed down...go teamwork!
Have you ever read the Book of Job? That would probably be a good one to read.
I think with the hope in Christ and grace through prayer that God grants us a lot of times we can get through those extremely tough times. Hope things go better for you and God bless!
My entire LIFE has been more than *I* could handle, but I've yet to come across anything in my life that has been too much for God to handle.
In addition to I Cor. 10:13, also check out Isaiah 43:1-7; 49:14-16; Psalms 46 and 91; Lamentations 3:22-26 (notice in the verses prior to these, Jeremiah is in a funk and then in verse 21 he says, "This I recall to mind, therefore have I hope...") Like Jeremiah we must always recall the truth about God because Satan is prowling in an attempt to get us to doubt God's sovereignty, love, goodness and sufficiency for us.
Sometimes it feels like more than I can handle, but here I am, still living my life and doing okay. I've found there's a definite difference between feeling overwhelmed and not being able to handle something.
For me, every case thus far has been me just feeling overwhelmed. If I allow myself to get past those feelings I find I can handle it, for better or for worse.
It is I Corinthians 10:13 but I have heard several pastors say that the words "a way of escape" is more accurately translated "a way to pass through" and this makes more sense when you are trying to understand how God could 'allow' some of the bad things that happen in our lives. Hope this helps. Remember also that Jesus said, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!"
There are plenty of verses that people spout off that aren't in the Bible. They sound so good too! Try to find "God inhabits the praises of His people." That is a favorite of preachers. I have looked for that one in several versions. It isn't there. When you hear a preacher spill a bunch of "scripture" without references, always challenge him for the passage.
in all reality he doesnt give us any more than we can handle WITH HIM. us as solely undeserving humans... no. we cant handle anything. but with him as our focus, our guide, and our strength, we will prosper. we will overcome. we will keep our joy. and we will rejoice.
well... honestly... that verse IS in there... but the context is wrong... God won't let us go through a temptation we can't handle... it's in James....
this isn't talking about the crap we go through in life... it's about being tempted from sin and the flesh... the crap we face in life will be overwhelming...
it's been said that God promised us a safe landing, not a happy flight... and sometimes turbulence is horrid to face... but the destination will be a sure thing...
i was actually thinking about this the other day. in reality, bluntly, if you don't commit suicide that means you get through life's problems. so yes, that would mean God isn't giving you more than you can handle. but i guess it sounds more inspirational than the actual meaning.
but like people mention above, there are many verses the phrase could come from. i do like it a lot, though :)
If God never gave us more than we could handle, then we wouldn't be able to handle it when God gives us more.
i love encouraging verses in the bible : )
@tiny_fists_of_fury - that's what I was going to bring up. the book of Job. We're studying that book in one of my bible studies, and it's been very encouraging. Job felt like that too - too much to bear! Imagine- losing your home, your livestock/career, ALL 10 children and your health in a very short span of time! And yet, Job leaned on God. And why did this all happen to Job? A contest between God and Satan? Job never got to find out. Some things are WAY bigger than we can see, and sometimes our struggles have nothing to do with us, but rather, could be for the good of someone else. Humbling, but look at Job.
There's a huge difference between giving you temptation that you can't handle and putting you in circumstances that you THINK you can't handle. We're human, we all suffer with temptation. But we also need to go through tough times that we think we don't deserve. If we didn't have to go through them, none of us could help another through those times. Once the rough time passes and God (the Spirit) guides us through it, we can use our experience and leaning on God as an example for others. Or if we screw up and our faith isn't that strong, we can even admit that we failed at trusting God while going through it. The point is that God will be with us through everything. He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
Theo,
This is David Buckle; coming to all from the queen city. Not meaning to demonstrate any angst at residing here mind you, if it's not banking, religion, or ART, it being so that two local artist that get it:
Ruth and Pablo Sires "get it" there's not too much hope.
TRUE: "282-- is a prime residence; don't move here."
travelblog.org/Photos/413456.html
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depression is a mental illness, not a spiritual defect.
People have already addressed the issue of where that verse is and what it actually says.
But I thought I'd add, I hate it when I'm going through rough stuff and people give me pat answers and trite responses. It doesn't strike me as encouraging. When I'm mourning, so to speak, I want people to mourn with me.
God's promises are great. They give us a firm hope. They do help us through our current circumstances. But ultimately, some stuff still hurts to endure.
There have been moments where I felt the weight of the world was on my shoulders but each time God gave me the strength and I grew from it.
Sometimes what we think we can't handle we already have the strength for. Sometimes not.
God bless
Thanks for this post. I've been going through a rough time, too, and it was so encouraging to read your words ("It's not that I don't trust Him.It's not that I love Him any less in the difficult times of life. I know that through doubt my faith is seeking understanding.It's not weakening,it's trying to grow.") and to read the encouragement of other Christians. Plus, to see Bible verse suggestions is great, too!
One thing that has helped me in my struggles is that when I have those few moments of insight, understanding, and/or happiness, I journal it. This could be after a comforting talk with a friend, after reading the Bible, or just praying. It helps when you aren't feeling so great later to see words of encouragement to yourself. For me, it was like, "oh yeah! I am so blessed! I felt it for a moment that day and I will definitely feel it again!"
Here are a few verses that have helped me: Job 11:13-20 and Ecclesiastes 7:8-14 ("Consider what God has done
Who can straighten what he has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.") What I really love is 2Corinthians12:9--- "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is
made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly
about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." It helps to know that in your moments of feeling so weak and vulnerable, that is when you are the most ready to receive the wisdom, peace, understanding,and strength of God.
God bless. =)
Yes, I have heard about how this is not an existing verse. It's not a verse because it's not true. I think God probably doesn't GIVE us more than we can handle, but whatever the circumstances, we might HAVE more than we can handle. And I think that that is when we turn to Him to handle our burdens for us. It's more than we can handle, so that He can take it for us.
"His burden is easy, and His yoke is light" Matt. 11:30
"Cast your burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain you"- Psalms 55:22