More Than We Can Bear?

I’m pretty tired of hearing “God doesn’t give us more than we can bear/handle.” Um…where in the world in the Bible does it say that? I’m pretty sure this misconception comes from 1 Cor. 10:13, which says, “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.” Putting aside the fact for a minute that Paul was specifically talking about temptation of sin, let’s look at why people misquote this verse so much.

I think people only like to quote the first part of the verse because…well, it sounds nice. “You can get through this. God doesn’t give you more than you can bear.” However, focusing only on this part of the verse makes the focus totally on us. Saying “God doesn’t give us more than we can bear,” makes it sound like we are some kind of superhero species that can make it through any tough situation just because we’re awesome. If you focus on the entire verse, however, the focus turns toward God. GOD is faithful. HE will provide a way out so that you can endure it. I don’t know about you, but last time I used the word “endure,” I wasn’t talking about anything pleasant. I was probably talking about pain or some other type of suffering. God allows suffering in our lives, not to show us how strong we can be, but how strong HE is in our weakness (1 Cor. 12:10).

I don’t know if there is anything more annoying than someone trying to give me advice in a tough situation that that person doesn’t understand. I’m pretty sure a mother that just lost a child or someone going through a messy divorce doesn’t want to hear, “God doesn’t give you more than you can bear.” God allows all kinds of situations that we CAN’T bear to happen in our lives, because without those situations, we would never fully understand His power, or how much He cares for us. When you can’t bear what you’re going through anymore (because it will happen…a lot), cast your cares on His precious shoulders (1 Peter 5:7) because he CAN bear it, and He cares for You.