How many time have you heard this? Or maybe have even used it yourself? I know I have. I just read an article, “Confronting the lie: God won’t give you more than you can handle” by Pastor Nate Pyle from Christ’s Community Church in Fishers, Indiana. It made me go, “Huh?!” It doesn’t actually say that in the Bible? Apparently not. The verse this idea comes from can be found in 1 Corinthians 10:13, which says:
[quote]The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.[/quote]
It only talks about temptation and nothing else. It’s interesting how something gets so misinterpreted, then misquoted and thus misleading people. I wonder what else I have misunderstood.
How does it change my outlook on life? Does it mean I might go through trials or tribulation that I can’t and won’t be able to handle?
I don’t think God expects, nor wants, us to handle it on our own. Yeah, He may give you even more stuff to deal with… sometimes incredibly hard to deal with kind of stuff, but it’s an opportunity to give God control, to trust Him more, and to lean on Him. It is an opportunity for God to make Himself known. This doesn’t mean it won’t be painful, hard or even unbearable. But God is with you!
In every situation in my life, I know I can trust God to hold my hand and to be my rock. When I know I can lean on Him in that way, I feel invincible. There is nothing I cannot handle when God is with me because I don’t have to handle it on my own.
It’s up there with the verse “God helps those who help themselves”. Nice post. 🙂
Thanks, Tony! Exactly… Where do people come up with this stuff! 😉
This comment was submitted by Claudia:
“Dear Flo! I was quite surprised yeah! But think about this: you are being tortured because of Christ. Would you bare it or “listen to” the temptation of giving up? I understand that maybe people go around saying that God won’t let you go through anything you can’t handle, but this is not what is written in Isaiah 43:2. Keep faith dear friend! God will lead you and your family through every circumstance. Love and God bless.”
Appreciate your wise words, Claudia.
Thank you for posting this. I came across it last night, and I also read Pastor Pyle’s article. I’ve heard the phrase many times and it has usually left me unsettled. Like a personal trainer resting comfortably and advising “No Pain No Gain” Your post and Pastor Pyle’s insight and discernment gave me a sense of peace. Thank you.