Does God Give Us More Than We Can Handle?
Does God give us more than we can handle? I know we’ve heard that He doesn’t, but did you know that that sentiment is not actually biblical in the way most of us understand it. Just look at people who are going through extreme difficulties, and you’ll see they are stretched way beyond their limits to endure.
If you’ve travailed through your own personal wilderness, you know that many times there is barely enough strength to make it through one more day, sometimes it’s even a minute by minute type of endurance, yet strength is given. Through trials, God teaches us reliance and faith on him. We learn that we cannot prevail in our own strength.
Our ability to survive our storms are dependent on the grace of God. Let’s break down 1 Corinthians 10:13 to see what it says. Here it is from the Wuest translation, which is a literal New Testament translation that follows the order of the words in Greek quite strictly, using as many words as is necessary in English to convey the richness and clarity of the Greek text.
“A testing time or a temptation has not laid hold of you with the result that these have you in their grip, except those to which mankind is continually subject. But God is faithful who will not permit you to be tested nor tempted above that with which you are able to cope, but will, along with the testing time or temptation, also make a way out in order that you may be able to bear up under it.”
What is Paul really saying in this scripture? He’s saying that God won’t test us beyond our ability to endure WITH HIS HELP – with the enabling power of His grace. That’s the caveat to the idea that God won’t give us more than we can deal with.
2 Corinthians 9:8 says: “And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work.” (NET).
Excluding the sovereign grace of God, that he has so graciously bestowed on us, we would surely falter. This underserved favor allows us to endure and conquer beyond what we ourselves are capable of. We cannot triumph independent of Him. He’s looking for our dependence and trust.
The truth is, human frailty is crushed beneath the burdens of heartache, anguish, despair, and all the manifestations of human suffering in this world. There will be times in all of our lives where we will find ourselves immersed and drowning in circumstances that are way beyond our capacity to control and cope. That’s why we need him.
In 2 Corinthians 1:8, Paul states: “For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.” Relief never comes from within, but comes outwardly from God to those who wait on Him. “He gives strength to those who are tired; to the ones who lack power, he gives renewed energy.” Isaiah 40:29 (NET).
We were never promised a trouble-free life. In fact, Jesus told us in his word that there would be trouble because we live in a broken world. “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble and suffering, but take courage – I have conquered the world.” John 16:33 (NET).
The trials we encounter in this life will stretch us far and above what we think we can possibly endure, but with God’s help “we will be more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 (KJV) Indeed, He will sustain us to the end… 1 Corinthians 1:8.
And not only we will abound, but He will work it together for our good. (Romans 8:38) Let’s look forward to this promise in hope. We serve a gracious God…
P.S. Please join my private Facebook Group, The Toxic Relief Room, if you need support dealing with difficult relationships.