I knew the statement, “God will never give you more than you can handle,” wasn’t in the Bible.
For forty-two years, I served as a pastor. I performed many funerals and ministered to a lot of people going through trying and tragic situations. Often, I heard well-meaning people, who were speaking from caring and concerned hearts, make statements that made me cringe. One statement I grew to dislike was, “God will never give you more than you can handle.” I learned that wasn’t true. He will, but for our own benefit. He did for me.
Many said this to me during my difficult days of cancer treatment. When I realized God can and will allow us to experience more than we can bear, things got easier.
Paul says God gives us an escape from temptations so that it’s not too much to bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). But when it comes to pain, trials, heartache, and burdens, the Bible doesn’t say it won’t be more than we can bear.
Christ speaks to those carrying burdens too heavy for their shoulders and states the reason why they are given more than they can handle: so they can come to Him and trust Him enough to hand over their heavy, crippling burdens and let Him carry their load.
Doing this made all the difference for me, and it will for you too. Not facing difficult situations properly can steal our joy and weigh us down.
When the burden is too much to bear, give it to Christ.
(Photo courtesy of pixbay.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Good word. What you say here makes sense. I love to claim Psalm 118;17 for people with cancer: "I shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord."