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<\/a>I\u2019m so blessed to have a husband with a wonderful, secure job. It\u2019s allowed me to work on my writing and bless others by volunteering my time more than I ever could if were working. Of course, I\u2019ve continued to search for that elusive job\u2026but to date, still have found nothing.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
I know you\u2019ve heard this phrase before. \u201cGod will not give you more than you can handle.\u201d It\u2019s the catch-all phrase folks love to use for whatever situation they find themselves in. They\u2019ll share this if they encounter someone with a burden or hardship. Perhaps for someone going through the grief process. Or even in searching for a job.<\/p>\n
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But I\u2019d like to share a passage from 2 Corinthians that contradicts this phrase. I believe this passage points us in the direction God would have us go and it gives us a better understanding of how we should deal with any struggle.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.\u201d<\/em> (2 Corinthians 1:8-11 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Did you catch it? Paul said that what he had encountered was far beyond his ability to endure. Doesn\u2019t sound like the phrase above, does it?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But the great part of this passage is that Paul learned a great lesson through it all. That he was to depend upon God, not himself. It is a lesson that we need to learn as well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n And Paul would never underestimate the power of prayer from his group of prayer warriors. When their prayers were answered, praise could be given to God for His gracious favor. What a great example for us to follow.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Perhaps the phrase, \u201cGod will not give you more than you can handle\u201d comes from the passage of Scripture about temptation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We find this passage in Paul\u2019s first letter to the Corinthians. \u201cNo temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it.\u201d<\/em> (1 Corinthians 10:11 \u2013 NIV)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There it is\u2026\u201cbeyond what you can bear.\u201d And if you\u2019ll notice, God shows up in this area of our lives too. He is willing to help us as we are dependent upon Him instead of ourselves.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Perhaps this is a hard lesson for us to learn because some of you reading this blog have been through some horrible experiences. Some are dealing with pain as you read this and wonder how you\u2019ll ever survive it. It really is beyond what you are able to handle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n God is your answer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I\u2019m not writing this to discourage you. I\u2019m sharing this important message to encourage<\/em> you. Encourage you to run to Jesus and let Him take it. All of it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n God\u2019s grace is all-sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We find strength in Jesus when we are weak (2 Corinthians 12:10).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the midst of my situation, I\u2019ve learned to lean upon God more. I\u2019ve learned to be less dependent upon myself. I\u2019ve learned to run to God with my troubles. It\u2019s been a rewarding 2 \u00bd years and I\u2019ve grown spiritually because of my experience.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n