I will confess up front that this is not the first time I have blogged about this topic (you can read the first post here), but it came up again yesterday and I just have to get it off my chest…so bear with me (it might be for me but it might also be for you). 
Here is what is sticking in my craw today:
God will never give you more than you can handle.
We have all heard this phrase/comment before. There are many Christians and non-Christians alike that think this is good theology. It’s what the Bible says, right? God promises never to give us more than we can handle, right? We cling to this idea when life is rough. We cling to it when we feel like we just can take any more.
But there is a problem…wait for it…
This is NOT God’s promise. Scripture does NOT make this promise. It is a lie.
::INSERT PREGNANT PAUSE HERE::
I know…blasphemy! Of course that’s what the Bible says. I’ve heard it…I’ve read it. But, you haven’t.
Here is the passage that this idea comes from:
If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.
And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.
When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
1 Corinthians 10:12-13, NLT
This is a passage about temptation. It is not about trials, but we often read it that way. The truth is, sometimes God does give us more than we can handle. Why? So that we will turn to Him and learn to depend on Him instead of ourselves. There have been many times in my life when God has had to give me more than I could handle so that I would learn a lesson and stop being so self-sufficient. He promises never to give me more temptation than I can handle (although even that sometimes doesn’t seem true either), but He never promises that life won’t get out of hand.
The good news? He never abandons us. He is always there. He just wants us to lean on Him..to turn to Him when things get rough. God isn’t interested primarily interested in our happiness or our comfort. He is interested in us being more like Him and in having a relationship with us. And sometimes it takes us getting more than we can handle before we toss some of it on Him.
Whew…I feel better now! 
Post Tags: 1 Corinthians, Temptation, Trials
Thanks! I have challenged the students on the “He never gives us more than we can handle” comment before, exlpaining that God can and frequently does give us more than we can handle – because that is what draws us closer to him and let go of ourselves. I appreciate the additional perspective here….