How often, in times of overwhelming troubles have you told someone, or been told, "God never gives us more than we can handle"? We find comfort in that and we hope it gives comfort to others. It speaks to our strength and ability to handle affliction because we rest in God's sovereignty in all situations. We hold it as truth that we will survive what we're going through because God knows we're able to.
Athena shared that she finds encouragement in this knowledge but also believes that God doesn't expect us to go it alone. She said that she believes that God never gives us more than we can handle "without help." We can only tolerate so much and then before we get too burdened, God sends assistance. She wrote:
"There are always times you get overwhelmed and you think or pray, "I can't deal with this anymore," and then things happen. A neighbor mows your lawn, you get a pick-me-up surprise prezzie in the mail, you run into someone you haven't seen in years, and even just a "you look like you need a free ice cream cone right now." These little just-so-happens in life are His "without help" add-ons.
I looked up the Bible Verse in order to share it with you and was blown away to find out that it is not, in fact, in the Bible. After years of hearing this wisdom, and resting in the sentiment behind it, I just assumed it was in the Bible. It's most likely a thought that was born out of 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV):
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.
God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability,
but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape,
that you may be able to endure it."
I found an interview with John Piper about this saying, entitled "Will God Ever Give Us More Than We Can Handle?" If you have time to read the transcript or listen to the interview, he explains what he believes and backs it up with Scripture. He says, "... God will never give his people trials in which he will not sustain them and bring them through to everlasting glory." He also said, "When Paul says that God won’t give what is beyond what you are able, he means not beyond what you are able with God’s help." He quotes, 2 Corinthians 9:8, which we can pray on:
God is able to make all grace abound to you,
so that having all sufficiency
in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Additionally, we can pray on the knowledge that Paul shares in 2 Corinthians 12:9:
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is perfected in weakness.”
Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses,
so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
So my comfort in this statement remains and when I go to Him feeling like "I can't deal with this anymore", I can rest in the knowledge that God is faithful and that He will help and encourage me through any and all tribulations.
Praise the Lord!
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Please join me this week while we pray through scripture, meditate on scripture, filling our hearts and minds with love and gratitude. Pray that we find hope and peace in Jesus; that we focus on and do the will of our Father and that we live our lives emulating the characteristics of Christ so that others may seek Him.
I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power
#7thHourPrayerPower #BibleVerses #affliction #assurance #bible #faithful #hope #prayer #scripture
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