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.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
LEARN
We’ve all heard it and many of us have probably said it ourselves- “God will never give you more than you can handle.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 is a verse in the Bible that is often misquoted and many people use it as a Christian “catch phrase” to mean that God won’t ever give you anything more than you can bear. I don’t know about you, but there have been plenty of times in my life where I’ve thrown my hands up and said, “God, I can’t do this!” The Scriptures are full of examples of people who cried out to God feeling like they were forsaken-Psalm 22 being a vivid example. Psalm 88:1-3 says: “O Lord, God of my salvation; I cry out day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry! For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.” Jesus himself prayed, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death…My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:38-39).
In this life, we are promised tribulation and sorrows, but we can also stand firm in the promise that God is our refuge (Ps. 16:1, 57:1, Prov. 30:5). Saying “God will never give you more than you can handle” gives off the impression that God measures what He allows to come my way on the basis of my ability to endure it. It focuses on self and not God. My “handling” a difficult situation doesn’t depend on my own strength. If that were the case, I would fail miserably every time because of my sinful heart. It is purely God’s grace that provides a way for me to be able to endure life’s trials and unknown situations. My being able to bear a situation doesn’t mean I will never feel like giving up or that I will never falter. But through the grace of God, He equips me and works in me to choose the right thought patterns and to make Godly decisions. And when we face situations that are morally confusing or we are actually being tempted into sin, God always provides a way of escape, which is the context of 1 Cor. 10:13. 2 Cor. 9:8 says: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” Acts 2:13 says: “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
It is Christ alone, in us, who gives the strength to bear whatever it is we are facing. Whether it’s embracing constant change in our lives, whether we are facing financial hardship, broken relationships, feeling completely overwhelmed by the demands placed before us, He is the one who withholds us and we are not independent of God’s mighty hand to help us do what we ought. As John Pipers states: “God will never give his people trials in which he will not sustain them to bring them through to everlasting glory.”
Even now, my family and I are facing the transition of moving across the country in a few months where country life reigns supreme. This city girl will have a lot to adapt to, but more importantly, I will be put in a position where I must rely on Christ to meet some pretty deep needs. My husband will be deploying often and will be doing much training as is required for his particular job. Many people will often say to me after finding out that I am a Military wife, “I don’t know how you do it! I could never do that.” I never thought I could “handle” this lifestyle either, but it is God who sustains me and my family. It is God who equips me to walk through this life as a Marine wife, to face so much uncertainty, too many unknowns, and countless times of patiently waiting through transition periods. We are often away from family and close friends. We must learn to make new friends and adapt to the life and culture of wherever we’re stationed at the time. I fear for my husband’s life as he does rigorous field training and overseas deployments. But through it all I can’t help but think of the words of Psalm 74:25-26, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
KNOW
Are you experiencing a time of change or transition right now? Do you feel like it’s too much to bear and you don’t know how you can face so many unknowns? Lay it before the Lord in prayer and be reminded of His truth through His Word and the promises He has for you. Remember His faithfulness and His ability to help you face those times of uncertainty.
How does 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 give you hope?
DO
Read 1 Corinthians 1:8-9. Confess to the Lord about a situation where you have doubted His faithfulness and His ability to see you through.
