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.
Conclusion
Paul Young, author of The Shack, was on a plane with a copy of his book. The lady next to him began to tell him how much she hated that book - not knowing he had written it. When she figured it out, she was embarrassed, but Paul asked her to tell him about her life.
“A year before, she was borderline suicidal. An addiction had owned her world, and she had lost every relationship that mattered to her. And then, thankfully, because of a group of street preaching fundamentalists, she met Jesus, and her life had turned completely around. But she was desperately afraid that she might lose the magic, might do the wrong thing or believe the wrong thing…”
“We began our descent and I leaned over to her. ‘I am so excited for you! I have been walking this road with Jesus for a lot of years, and you are on the most incredible adventure a human being can have. I hope you never lose your fervor and focus. But, if I may, if Jesus were sitting here right next to you, I think I know what he would tell you.” “What?” “I put my hand on her shoulder. ‘I think he would say, Relax.’”
“Tears started rolling down her face, and I watched her melt into the embrace of an invisible but relentless affection. We hugged goodbye.”
“Relying on Jesus means you don’t have to figure out how to be victorious over rough times, because His victory will be your victory.” (Pruitt)
Whatever comes your way - even if it is too much for you to bear - God will help you bear it and He will see you through it.
Just think of all the ways God has carried you through the roughest most hurtful times of your life. And He is never going away.
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Questions For Discussion
1. When is a time you have heard the expression, “God won’t give you more than you can handle”? Why do you think this is a saying that gets repeated often - what does it mean to you?
2. This saying closely resembles something said in 1 Corinthians 10:12-13. Read this in class. What promises are made in those verses?
3. What are some examples of ways of escape in the midst of temptation? Can you think of any Bible characters who escaped temptation?
4. Many Bible characters struggled significantly and had to rely on God to make it through. What examples can you think of?
5. How do I rely on God when life gets to hard to bear on my own?
6. Which of Jesus’ experiences as a human being is something you are grateful to know? Why does his suffering make any difference when we are in painful circumstances?
7. When a friend is hurting, instead of saying “God won’t give you more than you can handle” … what is one thing you can now say to them? What are some ways we can remember this when we are going through a struggle?
8. Psalm 23 is a favorite of many believers. Spend a moment to read through it and notice the ways that God is carrying us through the hardest of times.
9. What else would you like to talk about in relation to the lesson today? What can our group do together soon outside of class?
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Teacher Helps
Where is God When I Am Hurting? Jeremy Mattek. 4 minute video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQbjnZ3d8AQ
Song: Casting Crowns on YouTube: Healer
https://youtu.be/57S_NBOmyx0
Commentary Thoughts on 1 Corinthians 10 by Steve Johnson
insightforliving.ca/read/articles/god-will-never-give-you-more-you-can-handle
Article: 14 Bible Characters who Wrestled With Their Faith and Won
By Danielle Bernock
https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/14-bible-characters-who-wrestled-with-their-faith-and-won.html
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Resources
Pruitt, Shane. Nine Common Lies Christians Believe. Multnomah, 2019.
Young, Paul Wm. Lies We Believe About God. Atria Books, 2017.
