Mythbusters

God has laid something on my heart and I feel compelled to write it down.  Not because someone else needs to see it, but because I’m positive there is going to come a time where I will need the reminder.  As a Christian it is easy to be deceived about what is truth and what isn’t.  Typically in every lie there is a morsel of truth.

I recently read an article from a woman who had lost her child.  She said, “I’ve heard it said that God will not give us more than we can handle, but this is more that I can handle.”  She went on about not being sure she believes in God.

The truth is, no where in the Bible does it say that God will not give us more than we can handle.  We may have temptations that won’t be more than we can handle, but He promises to always give us a way out (1 Corinthians 10:3).  However, there is no promise that says God will not give us circumstances beyond what we can handle. 

I know people who are dealing with all kinds of tragedies – infertility, loss of a child or loved one, addiction, adultery, health issues, bankruptcy, legal issues, divorce, etc.  I could fill this whole blog with a list of things people are dealing with.  These are good people in the midst of terrible circumstances.  Each of these things is part and parcel with life on earth.  Life is hard.  Life isn’t fair.  The reality is, who can handle those circumstances?  The problem with this lie is that it says, “if you can’t handle this, there is something wrong with you.  You have done something to bring this on yourself because God wouldn’t give you more than you can handle.” 

I have been angry with God and upset with my circumstances.  They are, without reservation, more than I can handle.  I’ve had issues with resentment toward God over things in my life that are hard and unfair.  God didn’t stop those things.  In fact, if I’m honest, I am still dealing with them this morning and I don’t understand why it has to be so hard or why I have to deal with it.  I have my moments where I yell at God, tell Him how angry I am and stomp my foot and beat on His chest about the unfairness. 

Whether we like to admit it or not, God doesn’t want the façade we put on for everyone else.  He wants me, in all my anger and resentment to come to Him and tell Him how I feel.  He wants me to scream and carry on and tell Him how upset and hurt I am.  It’s like with any relationship, the more barriers I put up to the real me, the more superficial that relationship becomes.  God doesn’t do superficial.  He does tears and snot running down your face and yelling and screaming and carrying on.  He does real.  He does intimate. 

God doesn’t promise to fix an unfair circumstance and He doesn’t promise to not give us more than we can handle.  He promises to be our refuge and strength:

Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

For those who come to Him, He promises rest:

Matthew 11:28 – Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 

I Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

This life will be struggles, hardships and all things unfair.  I do not have answers as to why.  I know that nothing can separate me from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39), so it isn’t punishment for some past action.  It is life and sometimes there are no answers as to the why. 

I only have answers to the how.  How we get through this is by going to God, giving Him all of our emotions, fears and being real with Him.  He wants our hurts, our worries, our struggles because He cares for us.  If we do that, He promises to be our strength and our refuge.  He promises to give us rest. 

He doesn’t promise to take away our hardships, only to give us the strength to get through them.  He will certainly give me circumstances that are more than I can handle on my own.  He isn’t the God who will dole out circumstances and see how we do.  His promise is to be my strength, my refuge and to give me rest.  He is my ever-present help.