God Won't Give You More Than You Can Handle Series

Myths Christians Often Believe

God Won’t Give Me More Than I Can Handle

Introduction

Today we are beginning a new series of messages for the Summer called Myths Christians Often Believe.

Too often our talk about faith becomes bumper sticker theology - a short statement that sounds good … but is it true? These statements get passed around and often become accepted as truth, but they do not express what the Scriptures express! “God helps those who help themselves.” “Cleanliness is next to godliness." Today we will look at one of those statements you have certainly heard - and maybe even said.

God Won’t Give Me More Than I Can Handle.

This is usually offered as a comforting thought - that whatever happens to us, it will not overwhelm our ability to deal with it. The truth is that most of us have encountered hurts, hardships, and hangups in our lives that were more than we could handle. Things do happen in our lives that are more than we can handle - which is an opportunity for us to turn to God to seek His help and guidance.

1. The Origin of the Myth

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 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.”

It is essential to note that this text is on the subject of temptation. Everyone is tempted - it’s a common experience. God’s promise is that the temptation is not stronger than our ability to overcome it. Why? Because God is faithful - he provides a way out. Pruitt: “…When that inappropriate image pops up on your computer screen, the way of escape is the power button. When gossip springs up at your office, the way of escape is shutting it down or walking away.”

Life Struggles can be more than we can handle, but we are not alone in dealing with them! “If we were able to handle everything in life on our own, then why would we need God?” (Pruitt)

2. God’s Strength When Life is More Than We Can Handle.

GOD IS READY TO HELP.

Psalm 46:1 NLT God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

GOD IS MORE POWERFUL THAN OUR FEARS.

Isaiah 41:10 LSB Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will make you

mighty, surely I will help you; Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

GOD IS STRONG WHEN WE ARE WEAK.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

3. Jesus Knows What The Struggle is Like

Jesus Experienced Poverty

Luke 8:58 “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

Jesus Experienced Exhaustion

Pruitt: “Many times He would keep on walking and go off by Himself to pray. He knows what it is like to be physically and emotionally exhausted, and He knows what the remedy is.”

Jesus Experienced Betrayal.

-From Family - Mark 3:21 When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He

is out of his mind.”

-From a True Friend - Mark 14:72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

-From a False Friend - MT 26:15 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me,

Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

Jesus Experienced Grief

Luke 19:41As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.

John 11:35 “Jesus wept.” At the tomb of his friend Lazarus.

Jesus Experienced Temptation

Hebrews 2:18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Jesus Experienced Suffering

Matthew 26:38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Jesus Experienced the Feeling of being Forsaken by God

Matthew 27:46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)

Jesus knows what it’s like to be a human. As the old hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” says, “Jesus knows our every weakness.” So when we are going through extremely difficult times, we are assured that Jesus knows what that feels like.