Do what? What do you mean God will give me more than I can handle? Don’t people always say that He won’t give me more than I can handle?
Here’s the thing, the Bible does not say this anywhere!
I think people are getting this widely used saying confused with what 1 Corinthians 10:13 says:
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
This verse says that we will not be TEMPTED beyond what we can bare. If you are being tempted to do something that you know is wrong, you are strong enough to say no. And if you say yes, God still extends His mercy to you so you can be forgiven of giving in to the temptation. But this doesn’t mean that God will not ask you to do something impossible.
If God told you to pack up and travel to China and proclaim the gospel out loud in the center of the busiest city, knowing you could die on the spot, could you handle it? If you lost everything, home, money, clothes, food, and family, in a natural disaster, could you handle it?
God never intended you to handle anything on your own! He’s there in the heart ache and failure, as well as the triumph and success. God wants you to trust in Him, to give Him all your fear and pain, as well as the praise and glory. When He calls you to do something, He will provide protection. He loves you and doesn't want anything bad to happen to you. But what about when bad things do happen? He didn't abandon you. He wants to lighten the burden for you. You just have to surrender.
To explain what I am saying, I will share with you some scripture:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many. For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. '
2nd Corinthians 1:3-4, 8-12
1. God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation…
God is a God of comfort. He gives us inexplainable peace in troubling times. This cannot be mimicked by any earthly substitute. It comes only from God, and is not found within our own will.
2. We were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. …
Paul and Timothy were writing a letter to the Christian church in Corinth. That particular church was small and facing much trouble. They were probably being told the same thing, that they could handle it. But Paul and Timothy came near death, saw death, and experienced all kinds of cruel hatred, so that they didn’t even want to live anymore. If someone tries to tell you that God will make your life perfect, you tell them about what Jesus said in John 15:20:
“‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.”
3. We should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead…
We are not strong enough to handle anything the world will throw at us. We are incapable of standing against the devices of the Devil’s attacks. We cannot trust in our own strength, but only in the power of the God who created us, the God who raised Jesus from the dead, the God who parted the Red Sea, the God who provides redemption from death incurring sin.
4. Together in prayer…
God has called his people to pray. And not only to pray, but to pray together. For where two or three are gathered together in the name of Jesus, He is there in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)
5. Not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God…
Do not forget God’s law, but let your heart keep His commands; for length of days, long life and peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first-fruits of all your increase. Do not detest the correction of the Lord; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son he loves. The Lord by wisdom, understanding, and knowledge founded the earth and established the heavens. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught. (A paraphrase from Proverbs 3)
In conclusion, God will give you more than you can handle, and no amount of human understanding will help you get through it. Only God’s strength is sufficient, and more than enough. You are not meant to carry your burden alone!
-Elizabeth :)
Jesus Loves You! <3
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