Work, school, move, adoption, sick nephew, etc....There is a lot going on these past few weeks and in feeling very overwhelmed I look to the Lord to give me the strength and peace that I need.
A very well meaning friend mentioned that "Thank God that He doesn't give us more than we can handle!" This got me to thinking...I don't think I agree with that statement as I am really not able to handle all that is going on...at least NOT ALONE! Where did that come from? She explained that the verse in Corinthians which talks about God not giving us more than we can bear.
The verse: 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation is given 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 you can escape it."
Some believe this means he doesn't give us more than we can handle. The hey, suck it up, God thinks you can handle this so that is why He is allowing it. But no, this is not the context. This verse is about actual temptation, so we have to be careful to read and interpret it in context.
2 Corinthians 1: 8,9 “For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.”
Here it is!! We are burdened, we do suffer beyond our strength...but NOT BEYOND His.
1 Corinthians 12:9 "My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
It is when we are challenged beyond ourselves, beyond what we can handle, it is in our weakness that He is strong. His strength is made perfect to overcome our weakness and meet our needs.
We WILL be stretched, stressed, bent, pushed, and pulled. However, it is in those times that we realize just how great our need is for His strength. It is then that God in His Almighty strength takes over for us, makes us strong, and provides a way of escape.It does not say that he doesn't give us more than we can handle...but he DOES promise that He will be there to provide the way of to get through.
So next time you or I are tempted to give bumper sticker theology perhaps say it this way instead: God will not give you more than YOU and HE can handle together!
What a mighty God we serve!! Group 1 Crew and Jars of Clay have 2 awesome songs that have been an encouragement to me this week, I have linked them below, enjoy!
Jars of Clay - He will lift up your head
Group 1 Crew - He said
