I Can't Handle It!

So many times I have heard people say, God won't give me more than I can handle.  And then I've also heard others be frustrated and angry with God, because they felt like they were at the end of their ropes and God wasn't following through on his promises.

The problem is, that's not what God promised.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "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."  

I assume most people are referring to that verse when they think about not being given more than they can handle.  But there are a few important details that you must notice:

1. This verse is about temptation.  Not about life circumstances.  
2. This verse doesn't say that we decide how much we can take.  
3. This verse is not about us.  It's about him.

Be careful about your expectations about God.  Be careful that you really know his word, his promises.  This verse tells us that our temptations are not bigger than God - that no matter how we are tempted, he can handle it.  He is bigger.  He will provide the right path.

We are never alone in our temptations.

God and God alone is the source of our strength.  When we are tempted, we must turn to him.  But notice the other thing about this verse - it doesn't leave open the possibility that we will NOT be tempted.  We will be - that is fact.  But Paul does say that it is NOT POSSIBLE that we will be over-tempted.  Tempted beyond our ability.  Tempted beyond our capacity.  There is no such thing.

God will always be there, will always be our strength, will always provide the way.  But that does not mean that he will not give us more than we can handle.  Because he will!  Only when we reach the end of ourselves do we reach for him.  Jesus says to give him our burdens (Matthew 11).  Paul says that when we are weak, he is strong (2 Corinthians 12).  

When we are finished, he has just begun.  That has nothing to do, in no way means that he will allow stuff in our lives.  Because that's just when he is getting good!