Have you ever heard someone say, “God doesn’t give us more than we can handle”? I seem to be running into this idea a lot lately. Someone will mention something difficult they are facing and then try to encourage themselves by saying, “Well, God doesn’t give us more than we can handle, right?” Or, to paraphrase the opening to a song on the radio, “God must think I’m pretty strong to give me all this junk to deal with.” I’m usually pretty skeptical about theological ideas that fit on a bumper sticker, and this one in particular has been bugging me lately because I think it’s off the mark from Scripture.
I think the concept of “God won’t give me more than I can handle” comes largely from Philippians 4:13, “I can do all thinks through him who strengthens me.” This is everyone’s favorite Bible verse, right? Everyone wants to be told, “You can do anything!” And if we can find it written in a Bible verse, all the better! But I think our problem is that, short as this verse is, we only read half of it.
Let’s look at the verse in some context. Paul writes, “I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:10-13). Contentment is a different posture than buckling down to tough something out because you are strong. Contentment in difficult circumstances is a posture of rest, trusting that God is working to accomplish His purposes and ultimately to glorify Himself.
Paul says he can be content in every circumstance because God enables him to be content. The danger of the “I can do all things” attitude is that at the end of the day, we still rely on our own strength. We want God to give us the inner fortitude, but we still plan on doing the heavy lifting. It’s a way for us to retain control. But Paul can be content because he knows he is not the one in control. Paul submits himself to the will of God, no matter what the circumstances, knowing that God will provide him with whatever is necessary.
I think we like the idea that God must think we’re strong if he’s willing to give us so much junk to deal with. But thinking, “Wow, this weight I’m carrying must mean God really likes me!” is totally the antithesis of “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). The Gospel is that, actually, you aren’t strong enough, and you can never be strong enough. God is strong enough. You are released from the responsibility of having to be strong. You are released from the responsibility of figuring out a way to handle all of your mess on your own. On the cross and through his resurrection, Jesus defeated everything that is wrong with this world. So our responsibility is to look to the One who provides. We lay the brokenness of our lives and the brokenness of our world at his feet. We ask for forgiveness for ways we have contributed to brokenness and we ask Jesus to be Lord over our lives.
Another verse comes to mind because it contains the phrase, “beyond what you can bear.” In 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul writes, “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.” Paul has been warning his readers to stand firm against sin. He reminds them that they are not unique in being tempted, that all people face similar temptations, and that God will provide them a way out of every temptation. So once again we are reminded that God will fill up what we lack. God provides the strength to endure temptation and make wise decisions.
I think when we are honest, we know that life is more than we can handle. No matter how many times we repeat the words, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me,” many of us deal with things on a regular basis that are more than we can take. Some of us continue to put one foot in front of the other, but we aren’t really living. But a recurring theme throughout Scripture is that God is our provider. Time and again, God stepped in to provide deliverance from enemies, food in famine, guidance for the lost, and healing for bodies, minds, and spirits. Not only these, but He promises the constant presence of the God Who Sees (see Genesis 16). Jesus died on the cross to redeem what is broken in our world. We need to look to him as the only one who can supply what we need. We need to cultivate our relationship with him so that we learn to trust his goodness and his sovereignty. And when life is more than we can handle, we can stand confidently and rest contentedly in the care of the God who is our provision.
I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small.
Child of weakness, watch and pray; find in Me thine all in all.”
- Elvina M. Hall, “Jesus Paid it All”
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