God will never give you more than you can handle.
Two women were standing in front of me at the checkout this week. One was discussing her pending divorce and child custody issues, while also disclosing her mother’s major health issue. In the next breath she also told a story about her horrific supervisor. The entire time she was sharing, I kept thinking that the checker was taking waaaaaaay too long and that this lady was probably violating some type of sharing statutes. I had little patience and clearly even less grace.
Then the woman next to the over-sharer said, “Thankfully, God will never give you more than you can handle.”
Most certainly more grace than I had for the scenario.
The statement stuck with me throughout this week. God will never give you more than you can handle. I have heard several Christians say this. Frankly, I think I have heard it said to more women then men. Is it true?
The more I thought about it, the more I disagree with this statement. First and foremost, I have not seen this in the Bible, which is cause to pause and reflect why we say this to others. Secondly, I flat out don’t believe it without some caveats.
God has never intended for us to “handle” anything on our own…ever…so why would we think He’d give us any amount to “handle” on our own? The reality is this: He wants to handle every detail with us…in every scenario. So the comment that he’ll never give us more than we can handle is untrue when we take it to mean that we must singularly handle the situation. If you understand that God will never give you more than you can handle with Him…well, then I am more inclined to agree.
“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.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
The catch is that you have to handle any situation with God. With God. This requires that you talk to Him, trust Him, and rely on Him. That you allow Him to handle it for you and with you. At this point, “He will provide a way out so you can endure it.” The way out is simple. He is the way out.
God won’t give you more than you can handle…He’ll give you exactly what you can handle with His assistance.
Ladies, if you are going through a painful breakup; God wants to handle it with you.
If you have medical issues you are facing for yourself, your family, your friends; God wants to handle it with you.
If you have a horrible boss, a tough work situation, or no job at all; God wants to handle it with you.
If you lose your wallet, get in a car accident, have childhood traumas, unpaid bills, drama with the neighbor…it doesn’t matter what it is; God wants to handle it with you.
“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me…for my yoke is easy and my burden is light” Matthew 11: 28-30 (NIV)
His burden is light. So trust Him by giving Him a portion of yours. As promised in the Bible, He will assist with “handling” it, so you don’t have to do it alone.
~Emily
Iron Porch 
As always, the topic was exactly what I needed to hear. The good Lord definitely speaks through you ladies. Thank you for your candid, real words every week that remind us we aren’t in this alone.
We are walking the same path, just different places along it. There are different things going on in our personal and professional lives, but they are similar. We all need help getting through the daily grind that is life, the Lord wants to do that for us, I know I just forget that on the heat and stress of the moment. Thank you for the gentle reminder.
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Good morning Tammy, We’re happy to hear that our trials and tribulations are similar to what other Christian women are walking too. I’ll be praying for you to remember that God is right there next to you….even in the daily grind of life. Thank you for the feedback, sweet friend! Hugs, Emily
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