Last night while my husband was watching the news, I was drawn into a story about the little girl from Oregon who was recovering from a freak accident that left her horribly burned. This precious darling was at Children's Hospital undergoing treatment for cancer when the hand sanitizer she had on started her on fire! Just absolutely crazy, but it is not this fact that I come to you today; it was something the dad said that got my blood a boiling. I've heard this statement fall from very well but very misguided lips over the years and it is now that I will address it with the same fiery zeal that I do of all things I am overly passionate about.
What is this horrendous statement?
"God will not give you more than you can handle!"
I literally just let out a frustrated cry on my end of the computer; I hope you felt repulsed too!
This statement is not only untrue but it is horrible-horrible wrong, and an awful lie that way too many people believe! Nowhere, and believe me when I say NOWHERE, is this statement written in the bible. I know several of you are shaking your heads in disbelief, because you may be a person that has uttered this statement to someone in crisis or it is something you chanted to yourself when you are having a hard time or it may be the cause of why you hate God.
Let me show you the true love and grace of God and hopefully dispel this bull-doo-doo statement forever:
Below is the verse people use as a reference to the above atrocity (I'll show you several versions):
1 Corinthians 10:13 ~New King James Version (NKJV)
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 ~New Century Version (NCV)
The only temptation that has come to you is that which everyone has. But you can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 ~The Message (MSG)
No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.
I've added the underlining to emphasize what it is the God really said! This verse is solely about temptation! Allurement, seduction, enticement, appeal, snares, traps. One word to sum it all up, SIN! God will not allow us to be tempted to sin beyond what every man or woman has to face; however, he doesn't end it there, He says he will always provide a way out from under that sin....an exit....the ultimate escape!
This verse has nothing to do with enduring abuses, illnesses, devastation, death, rape, murder.... it speaks only to temptation.
Let me tell you something I know with absolute certainty: my sweet friend CANNOT handle that her baby was born stillborn, my precious friend CANNOT handle that her baby was badly burned, my dear friend CANNOT handle that her child was sexually abused, my full-of-love friend CANNOT handle that she almost lost her baby in a car accident, my beautiful friend CANNOT handle that her husband cheated on her and left her to do this life alone, my hilarious aunt and uncle CANNOT handle that their precious daughter took her own life, my steadfast uncle and my sweet aunt CANNOT bear that they their amazing daughter has given her life to addiction and imprisonment, my lighthearted uncle CANNOT handle that his wife lost her life to cancer, my joyful sister-in-law CANNOT handle that her baby is forever changed because of a horrific car accident caused by the negligence of someone she loved, my dear, dear mother-in-law CANNOT handle that her baby boy was brutally murdered, my husband CANNOT handle it nor can anyone in his family, my gift-from-God parents CANNOT handle the brutal murder of their youngest son nor that the person who committed the crime is free today. My family is forever changed and completely devastated and CANNOT handle this loss in our life nor comprehend the killer's freedom --it is unbearable.
In fact I CANNOT handle any of this! I CANNOT handle that I have to watch my loved ones who are so dear to me suffer under the weight of tragic deaths, horrific accidents, and unbearable losses and injustices. I CANNOT handle the losses in my life, CANNOT! They weigh so, so much and the pain of my burdens border on life threatening --that's how much it hurts. A hurt that is so deep and so incomprehensible, it feels like it can steal the very life right out of you.
Most importantly: God didn't ordain this to happen to me, my family, my friends, nor you because He thinks you CAN handle it; the fact is He didn't ordain it at all! He is not the orchestrater of evil, and over and over the Word tells us that He is Love! I don't know how you love in your home but I don't put undo stress, burdens, hardships, and devastation on the backs of the ones I love. Let's be serious and totally realistic!! God didn't say any of us have to handle these things. He didn't say I'm giving you this because I think you are strong enough. He knows we are not strong enough to bear the weight of such evils and unfathomable losses. That's why He offers Himself to us.
What does He say:
All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.
I've added the underlining to emphasize what it is the God really said! This verse is solely about temptation! Allurement, seduction, enticement, appeal, snares, traps. One word to sum it all up, SIN! God will not allow us to be tempted to sin beyond what every man or woman has to face; however, he doesn't end it there, He says he will always provide a way out from under that sin....an exit....the ultimate escape!
This verse has nothing to do with enduring abuses, illnesses, devastation, death, rape, murder.... it speaks only to temptation.
Let me tell you something I know with absolute certainty: my sweet friend CANNOT handle that her baby was born stillborn, my precious friend CANNOT handle that her baby was badly burned, my dear friend CANNOT handle that her child was sexually abused, my full-of-love friend CANNOT handle that she almost lost her baby in a car accident, my beautiful friend CANNOT handle that her husband cheated on her and left her to do this life alone, my hilarious aunt and uncle CANNOT handle that their precious daughter took her own life, my steadfast uncle and my sweet aunt CANNOT bear that they their amazing daughter has given her life to addiction and imprisonment, my lighthearted uncle CANNOT handle that his wife lost her life to cancer, my joyful sister-in-law CANNOT handle that her baby is forever changed because of a horrific car accident caused by the negligence of someone she loved, my dear, dear mother-in-law CANNOT handle that her baby boy was brutally murdered, my husband CANNOT handle it nor can anyone in his family, my gift-from-God parents CANNOT handle the brutal murder of their youngest son nor that the person who committed the crime is free today. My family is forever changed and completely devastated and CANNOT handle this loss in our life nor comprehend the killer's freedom --it is unbearable.
In fact I CANNOT handle any of this! I CANNOT handle that I have to watch my loved ones who are so dear to me suffer under the weight of tragic deaths, horrific accidents, and unbearable losses and injustices. I CANNOT handle the losses in my life, CANNOT! They weigh so, so much and the pain of my burdens border on life threatening --that's how much it hurts. A hurt that is so deep and so incomprehensible, it feels like it can steal the very life right out of you.
Most importantly: God didn't ordain this to happen to me, my family, my friends, nor you because He thinks you CAN handle it; the fact is He didn't ordain it at all! He is not the orchestrater of evil, and over and over the Word tells us that He is Love! I don't know how you love in your home but I don't put undo stress, burdens, hardships, and devastation on the backs of the ones I love. Let's be serious and totally realistic!! God didn't say any of us have to handle these things. He didn't say I'm giving you this because I think you are strong enough. He knows we are not strong enough to bear the weight of such evils and unfathomable losses. That's why He offers Himself to us.
What does He say:
Matthew 11:28-30 ~New Living Translation (NLT)
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Psalm 36:7 ~New Living Translation (NLT)
How precious is your unfailing love, O God!All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.
Psalm 56:8 ~New Living Translation (NLT)
You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book
You have recorded each one in your book
Isaiah 41:13 ~New Living Translation (NLT)
For I hold you by your right hand—
I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you,
‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.
I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you,
‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.
He is Love! Nothing describes him as less. He is not the big mean disconnected spirit in the sky who entertains Himself by reeking havoc on us. We are not ponds in His 'M'-Rated video game --our lives are not a joke to Him. We are not his robotic minions; He ingrained in us a free-will knowing how much pain it would cause Him! But He choose to be in fellowship with us not dictatorship!
From the beginning of time the Lord has been formulating a fail safe plan so that none of us should perish to the depths of hell. He is constantly protecting, redirecting, red flagging, whispering words of guidance, and even sending us burning bushes so that we can avoid miseries and hardships. He cares about our JOY! That is why He sent Jesus! Like my mom and dad always say: "If the statement "He doesn't give us more than we can handle" is true, then sending His beloved son here to die for us was completely unnecessary. If we can handle anything and everything then we surely don't need a savior!"
Thank you. I don't know how many times this quote has unthinkingly come out of my mouth. It sounded good and I never gave it deep thought. I'm so sorry about all the heartache your friends and family are enduring. May God grant you peace.
ReplyDeleteThank you C. Dominica!I, too, have used this same statement more times than I can (or want to, Lol) count --not just to others but to myself too! A couple years ago, several of my family members and a few friends started to have some really great conversations about this topic, and that's where the realization of what we were saying gave us a hiccup in our spirits. It is just another attempt of the enemy to distort the word of God; to push people away or to cause us who do believe to serve the Lord as if we are His slaves. Not only are we free in Him but His Love and Mercy and Compassion are beyond our comprehension --He is nicer, kinder, more loving, more forgiving then the most "fill in the blank" person we know! And I have been blessed to know some pretty outstanding people! He is greater!
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