I used to tell people that God won’t give us more than we can handle. But that’s not scriptural.
God assures us that He won’t let us be tempted beyond what we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). But He never promises not to give us too much to handle.
In fact, God often gives us more pressure, stress, trials and difficulties than we can handle.
In 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, Paul says, “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself … But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God.”
So whenever we feel overwhelmed, let's remember this truth: God often gives us more than we can handle, but He never gives us more than we can handle when we depend on His strength instead of our own.
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I have definitely been in situations more than I could handle. Thanks for reminding me that I can always turn to the Lord.
ReplyDeleteMary
Thanks, Mary. I've definitely been in situations I couldn't handle as well.
DeleteI love this because I absolutely agree with you. If we could totally handle it on our own, why would we need Him?
ReplyDeleteYou do not need to write anything specifically for "Making Your Home Sing" and I think that your posts are wonderful and fit in perfectly with the linky. They point us to Jesus!
I am sorry that I did not notice my button in your sidebar. Thank you for sharing that, I do not need a link within the post itself. I apologize if I made you feel uncomfortable and I do hope that you will link up again! :)
Thanks so much for clarifying your Blog hop rules. Bless you, Gail
DeleteOh so true. I wonder just how many well-meaning but untrue statements we are passing on to others.
ReplyDeleteI love this!! Thank you for clearing this up ~ I hope that I get to share it with someone soon.
ReplyDeletePerfectly said Gail!! You know we in my family have experienced it but with Christ EVERTHING is possible! Thanks for remindign us of His infinite power!
ReplyDeleteI've made the same mistake, Gail. That's why we can never quit learning and growing. Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteI have never been good at memorization, honor student at school because I studied the night before the test so I'd remember. This has stayed with me in trying to memorize verses. But I can paraphrase. A non-believer friend of mine likes to challenge me from time to time; one being "God won't give us more than we can handle" expletive. I tell her He won't give us more...without HIS HELP. She said, wow they shouldn't have shortened it. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteJanet
I completely agree! I always cringe when I hear that phrase. I always like to say "Oh, God will give you more than you can handle, but He won't give you more than HE can handle." And I used that same verse as one evidence :) If we could handle life on our own, we wouldn't need God.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good way of putting it, Crystal. Thanks.
DeleteI completely agree! I always say "He won't give us more than HE can handle."
ReplyDeleteThat is a reasuring way of putting it. I am learning to rely on God when things are too much for me. I am a slow learner :-)
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I'll have to look into this further. Thanks for the food for thought! I don't want to misuse that verse either. Another one that bothers me is when people say after someone dies that they're "watching over us now." I've never found anything in the Bible that suggests that. Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteThe Bible says very little the activities of those who have died. It's possible they are able to see us, but we have no Scriptural proof of this. Luke 16:19-31 refers to men in Hades* who can talk to each other even though some are being punished awaiting hell and some are being comforted awaiting heaven. But no mention is made of their ability to see people on earth.
DeleteThat doesn't exactly answer your question except to say it's an area where the Bible is silent so we can't know the answer for sure.
Thanks for stopping by.
* a Greek word used to denote the state or place of the dead. All the dead alike go into this place. To be buried, to go down to the grave, to descend into hades, are equivalent expressions.
Hi Gail,
ReplyDeleteI love this. It's so true. Thanks so much for sharing this post with last weeks Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop. It is being featured at tonight's party.
Debi and Charly
http://www.adornedfromabove.com
I'm going through more stress than I can count right now. Thank you for this clarification. I knew it was not right but now I know why. Lately I have been listening to His eye is on the sparrow all 3 verses.And this ties into it perfect.
ReplyDeleteAs well Now I'm reminded of some verses with pics on my bathroom mirror. One is If God hasn't opened a new door, worship Him in the hallway. Based on Philippines 4:11-13. I had it up but never read the verse silly me. Much better to get clarification.
I have bèen despairing on a roller coaster of emotions. This helped confirm and remind me He is with me. His eye does watch over me.
Which is more than He received on the cross where we all turned away. Pray I no all of us rememberthis going into next week.
Dear Kitty,
ReplyDeleteI pray that you will continue to seek both God's comfort and strength as you go through your difficulties. Never forget He is with you, and He will do what you cannot do!
God bless you, sister in the Lord.
Gail
I know I've said that statement, not realizing that I was giving a misquote. Thank you for the scripture that tells me that, through His power and His strength, I can withstand things that are beyond my ability on my own, but not beyond His. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteI went through a very difficult time 4 years ago and I remember reading this devotional for the first time - it encouraged me and taught me to lean on God , NOT my own strength! Thank you for encouraging me in my time of need!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this! It bugs me to hear people pervert the scripture where God says we won't be "tempted" beyond what we can handle.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I am overwhelmed emotionally or otherwise, I thank The Lord for giving me the ability to remind myself that all of the commotions, pressures and strains of life result from one thing, sin. Seeing that The Lord IS the life of those who have been born again, there is no need to remember to depend on or turn to The Lord. We realize that He is the only way we can do anything. We cannot exist without Him.
ReplyDelete