More Than We Can Handle
July 1, 2023 2023-07-01 8:02More Than We Can Handle
Revlee More Than We Can Handle
1 Corinthians 10:13
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. (NIV)
Often, we will say, “I know God won’t give us more than we can handle,” or we will say it to someone else as a source of comfort that we can handle it. But the Scripture is clearly teaching that God will give us more than we can bear on our own. Our personal experience testifies to this. There are things too difficult with too great of a temptation for us to handle on our own.
Every hardship tempts us with depression, anger, resentment, jealousy, control. The key to this passage is that there is nothing too great for us to bear so long as we are leaning upon the Lord. When the temptation is more than our own strength can bear, we will lean upon Him and He will provide a way out so that we can endure it.
That is the other part of this passage that we miss. God gives us a way out. What does this mean?
Jesus as the way. In other words, navigating the issues of life and the temptations that accompany those issues necessitates us following the ways of Christ. When we follow the teachings of Christ under the pressure, step by step and little by little, we will overcome the situation.
Clearly, God calls us to add to our faith, to increase our faith, to grow spiritually. For this reason, much of what we face in life is simply too much for us to bear without falling into the temptation of responding in an ungodly way. But Christ has taught us the way to respond and navigate difficult situations. When we follow His ways, He will lead us out of the anxiety and stress.
Some may have read this or heard this and wondered if their faith was much less than other people’s. This may not be true. The sinful nature never leaves us this side of Heaven so we can always be tempted. Jesus, the Bible says was tempted in every way. And the temptations are often caused by trauma in our life. But when we follow God’s way. Pray without ceasing. Praising in a hard time. Focusing our mind on what is lovely and praiseworthy. Being honest. Confessing our sin. Making restitution. All of these will lead us out of the valley of the shadow of death.
Prayer: Lord, let me not be discouraged when I feel overwhelmed, but let me find Your way and trust You will bring me through. Amen.
