God never gives us more than we can handle.
Gag.
You know that’s completely untrue, right?
I get the idea, the idea that we can and will survive. That’s encouraging and hopeful. But it’s not really accurate. (It’s also not really in the Bible; go ahead, look it up.) Because at thirty three, I’ve lived just long enough to realize that things will happen to me (or you) that we totally can not handle.
Loss of a child. Bankruptcy. Divorce. Hunger. Car accidents. Death of a friend. Loss of a job. Heartbreak. Abuse. Lies. Chaos.
There are so many things in this world that I just can not handle.
And that’s exactly the point. God doesn’t want us to handle them on our own. He wants and longs for us to call out to him
for help
for peace
for acceptance
for rest
when there is no where else to turn. Because on our own, we just can’t survive. I just can’t make it. I can’t reconcile when moms die of cancer and kids are beaten to death. I can’t reconcile child molesters and car accidents that take friends. I can’t think my way out of them or reason with my heart into hurting less.
Because that stuff is painful on a level I can’t handle, guys. My heart isn’t made for that junk. Your heart isn’t made for that junk.
But I serve a God who offers comfort and peace that passes all understanding. I serve a God that gives my weary heart rest. I serve a God who heals parts that I didn’t think could be put back together. I serve a God who strengthens me when I am destroyed and weak. I serve a God who supports me when my own two legs cannot.
And he does that for you, too.
In Ezekiel, God teaches Ezekiel lessons in unique ways that he is then supposed to pass on to others. God gives Ezekiel the assignment to go speak to Israel even though they have hardened their hearts and have turned away from God. God says they don’t listen to me and it’s going to be very difficult to make them listen to you, but I will strengthen you; I will make you as hard as them so they will not intimidate or frighten you.
God brought Ezekiel to a hard spot where he could not survive or succeed on his own, and through those challenges, God’s glory was shown and Ezekiel’s dependance on God was strengthened.
God is still working like that today. Those challenges and battles that are meant to be your downfall and failure, the things that will absolutely make you give up, can and will be used for God’s glory and your strengthening. But you can’t do it alone. And he doesn’t want you to.
When I think about my relationship with God, my want to be more like Jesus and less like my sinful self, I have to give up knowing all the answers. I don’t know why kids die and good people can’t have babies and people hurt others intentionally. Truthfully, my walk with Jesus has brought about more questions than I started with. But I am stronger in the few truths I know and they are more than enough for everything else.
I know without a doubt that Jesus died for my sins and covered all my mess. I know without a doubt that he loves me more than I could ever imagine. I know without a doubt that his grace is enough for me. I know without a doubt that he will continue to give me more than I can handle so that I can learn again and again to rely on him.
And I know without a doubt that he will always show up, always be faithful, and always heal me in a way I never even dreamed.
And the same goes for you.
Does it sometimes feel like he’s given you more than you can handle? Good. Because that is the point.
Truthfully, I never comments on posts. Mostly becuase I think its wierd (must be my younger generation – we just dont leave comments). But this post was WOW. If you have doubts after you post something, about whether or not is really did make sense or speak to someone. KNOW that it spoke to me. KNOW that your wisdom is appreciated by young people like me who at 22 need people like you to speak some truth. Thank you.
Melvelisse, you make me cry. I do doubt sometimes and your words shook me up. Thanks for the encouragement, it made my day, seriously.
Powerful words of truth!
Thank you, Wendy.
Mary. I love this. Powerful true words. It was like you were writing from my own heart. I have learned trusting God in heartache can bring other blessings you never imagined possible 1 corrintheans 10:13 is so misinterpreted It says you will not be tempted beyond what you can bear. So many will say it means we won’t have tragedy beyond our handling. You hit it on the head. We will have tragedy beyond our handling and God wants us to turn to him. Just great blog and inspirational. “well done good and faithful servant “
Thanks, Jennifer. I know that so many good-intentioned people say that phrase and it just isn’t helpful or right. Thanks for the encouragement.
Magnificent. I HATE IT when people say that. My smart-aleck response is typically something like “Great – I/my friend/ my family member are being rewarded for handling things and coping and still continuing to function while everything is falling apart not by being given relief, but by having more crap piled on – that is exactly what you are saying” I know the people that tell you that think they are being comforting, but they are not. Your response is much better than mine though. : ) Another great post, Mary.
Haha, thanks Lynn. I know it’s not meant to hurt people when it’s said, but it does do a lot of damage, I agree. Maybe we can change that! 🙂
Thank you so much for this. I am currently dealing with some very unpleasant situations and I am so tired of hearing that particular cliche when someone offers encouragement. I totally cannot handle this stuff on my own and I am glad that I have God to go to for help, although I don’t have all of the answers I need yet, I know that if HE allowed me to go through this, then HE has already worked out the outcome and it is for my good.
It is for your good, Keyana, you are so right. And that’s not easy to hear or popular, but it’s the truth. I pray you find strength and rest in the one who loves you more than you could ever imagine.
I read this over and over. It’s been a rough week and this was the hand on my shoulder I needed. You are a wonderful writer.
Kassie, I’m glad you found some comfort in this post and I hope that God is strengthening you in ways you could never imagine to do hard things. I pray for peace and comfort and rest. He’s got you, Kassie. Rest in that even if nothing else makes sense.