More Than You Can Handle
I find it fascinating how many clichés Christians have. But we must ask, “Is that really what the Bible says?” Many have said and many believe the statement, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” However, we face trials of many kinds and begin to think that we cannot handle what we are going through. We face bad diagnoses, closed doors, job losses, deaths in families, and much more. If it is true that God does not give us more than we can handle, then what can be worse than the trials we are facing? Or, did we get this statement wrong?
Be Careful of the Sayings You Believe
Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 that we are to “Test all things.” What Paul is saying is that we must align all teachings and beliefs with God’s Word. If what we hear or believe does not align with Scripture, then we should not associate ourselves with it. So, let’s test the saying, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.”
This saying from Christians has been adopted from one of Paul’s letters to the Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul writes, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it.”
Christians have interpreted this passage to mean that God will not give us more than we can handle. However, we misinterpret the text by drawing this application from it. What Paul is saying to the Corinthians is that temptation to sin will come in various forms. When it arrives, God promises to provide a way out and the strength to resist sin. He promises that we will have the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us away from temptation. God is working to offer an escape from sin and to run to Him. We have the choice of running to sin or running away from sin.
When Trials Come
Jesus says in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Jesus told the disciples that trials would come. In doing so, Jesus offers a solution and a reason to trust Him. Jesus’s solution is for us to “take heart.” Jesus wants us to hold fast and cling to Him. We are not to adhere to anyone else, nor trust in any other solution. Instead, we are to hold fast to the One who has overcome the world. Jesus too faced temptations and challenging times. But, He never lost His hope in the Father.
Facing trials of many kinds, including those that are too much for us to handle, reminds us that there is only one solution. There is no self-help book or online course that will perfectly guide you through a trial that is taking everything out of you. As hard as it is to believe, we have a reason to be thankful for the trials. James 1:2-4 says, “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
The reason we can be thankful is that the One who is the solution loves us enough to offer His help. Trials and temptations are necessary because they humble us. Being broken down to the point of losing hope should remind us to place our hope in Jesus, the solution to trials and temptations. Sometimes we need to be broken down to remind ourselves to look up to Heaven.
Yes, you will face difficulties, temptations, and trials. They will be tough to overcome. Thankfully, we can remain hopeful because Jesus has overcome the world. We are not perfect enough to face trials alone. But Jesus is.