I was involved in a discussion last week with a group of people about this statement:
"Where's the verse in the Bible that tells us God will never give us more than we can handle?"
My reply was almost immediate:
"There isn't one."
Someone else offered: "1 Corinthians 10.13 is the verse you're looking for. '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.'"
The curmudgeon spoke up again. "No, I don't think that will work for this question." I continued…
"I really don't want to cause trouble, but just be careful in using that verse to say that God will not give you more trouble than you can handle. That verse is clearly speaking about temptation––no temptation will come against you that God has not also provided a way to resist it or avoid it. Part of that "way" is to pray: 'And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.' Part of that is His clear, Word-driven means: flee youthful passions (2 Tim. 2.22), resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4.7), along with many other passages.
"I'm always a little troubled by this phrase: God will not give me more trouble than I can handle. I've always thought that Scripture taught us to be completely and utterly dependent upon God, no matter what the circumstances. This makes it sounds as if I only need really look to Him when the going is as rough as it can possibly get, but most of the rest of the time, I do pretty well on my own. Heaven knows I need Him every second of the day. I'm learning to trust Him for the very next breath and the very next heartbeat; that is a great grace to me. Besides, I'm wondering, who, other than God, knows how much trouble I CAN handle. When I was younger, I thought I could handle quite a lot (and thus, got myself into far more trouble than was necessary).
"I think what Scripture teaches us is to make sure we are trusting and loving God with all our heart, all our mind and all our strength, '…for from Him and through Him and to Him are all things…' (Romans 11.36). When Paul spoke of how he learned to be content in every circumstance, it was always from the Lord (see Philippians 4.12–13). He had learned in both good times of blessing and in dire times of great need.
"I do know the Bible tells us that God cares for us (1 Peter 5.7), that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13.5). There's more, but that should be a good start.
"I'm wondering how we define "trouble" as well. Romans 8.16–17 tells us that we are God's adopted children through Jesus Christ. Since we're adopted, we are also heirs with Christ provided we suffer with Him. Jesus said that if the world hated Him (which it most certainly did; they crucified Him, after all), then it will most certainly hate us. 2 Timothy 3.12 gives us fair warning, 'Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…'
"So, I realize this may not be quite what you were asking after, but I'm troubled when we seem to want to get out of trouble. It's a bit "bothering" to me that we only want the trouble we can handle. God will truly not give us more than He can handle. In fact, when those kinds of troubles come that seem to want to wash us away, sweep us clean off the face of the earth; when those trials come that appear as if they will crush our bones and leave nothing of us behind, God has promised––and He is absolutely able to fulfill His promises; not a one has ever failed nor will ever fail to be fulfilled by Him through Christ Jesus––He has promised that He works all things (meditate upon those two words in light of the context of Romans 8.17-27 sometime) for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose."
Sorry if you have one of these on your wall. I won't make you take it down, but I will always think that you should…unless, of course, it's more than you can bear.
