God has given me more than I can handle - how about you?

"God will never give you more than you can handle."

Oh, how I'd be able to fill a room with nickels if I was granted one for every time that was said to me. My response to the well intentioned person is always a simple smile of gratitude for their kind intentions.

Admittedly, it sure doesn't feel that way to me and the countless others who are walking a very difficult journey right now. I thought, if that's true, I must be way stronger than I ever imagined. WAY stronger. Or maybe God has confused me with the stronger girl down the street! 

As I went about my journey, chasing a diagnosis, my body failing in many ways, trying to raise two very young precious little ones, in a marriage where we couldn't find our footing, financial issues due to medical bills, etc, I somehow knew that statement was not true. I was dealing with far more than my human self could handle. It was breaking me. Yes, breaking me.  I became overwhelmed, exhausted, unhappy and simply broken. I was given more than I could handle and didn't know what to do about it all. 

With a strong desire to understand this better, I began to research what the Bible said about it. I came to the conclusion that people making the statement that God only gives us what we can handle are referring to 1 Corinthians.  Paul says that we will never be tempted beyond what we can resist.  It is said in the context of not getting drunk at communion, however. That didn't quite mean the same thing to me as "God will only give you what you can handle.".

So, what does the Bible say about it? 

First of all, there are many stories of people in the Bible given more than they can handle: Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Job, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Mary, Martha, Paul...

An example is after Paul's mission to Jerusalem, he was overwhelmed. God told him that if he was overwhelmed, He would have enough strength for both of them. If God wouldn't give Paul more than he could handle, why would he feel overwhelmed or need God's strength?

Aha! God will give us more than we can handle, but He will also give us what we need to handle it! We must draw that extra oomph, that strength, wisdom, grace from Him!  This is mentioned many times in the bible but perhaps two of the most well know verses are:

 2 Corinthians 12:19  - Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Philippians 4:13  - I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

These clearly show that we are in need of His help and that He will give us what we need. As comforting as it may be to believe He will only give us what we can handle, would you be growing then? You'd likely still feel pretty comfortable and have no reason to depend on God. He wants us to go to Him, draw from Him. 

Let's not forget, "ask and you shall receive."  If you are feeling overwhelmed and carrying more than you can handle, call on God. He will give you what you need! It is only by the grace that is in Christ that He will give strength to those who ask for it. But. You. Must. Ask. For. It. 

So, I'd like to change that quote to a new one. " God doesn't give you what you can handle. He gives you what you need to handle what you're given."  Amen! 

Dear friends, whatever you are struggling with today, I pray you know you are not alone and that God is right there with you and patiently waiting for you, His beloved child, to call upon Him. It is only by God's grace and Him providing me with the strength I myself don't have, that I am able to live joyfully with what is considered a devastating illness. When I finally fell to my knees and cried to God for help, a new life began for me and my family. Is it perfect, no? Do we struggle still? Absolutely. But we know we can handle anything that comes our way when we rely on Him, because God has promised He will give us what we need and we have faith in His promises. 

Be well friends!

Much Love,

Linda